Mutsu Hassen Hōjun Chōkara Junmai

Mutsu Hassen Hōjun Chōkara Junmai (陸奥八仙 芳醇超辛純米) is made of the Hanafubuki (Kōjimai) and Mashigura (Kakemai) rice varieties. It represents a rich, intensely dry and meticulously crafted Junmai. Despite its name, "超辛" (chōkara, super spicy), which might mislead to expect extreme dryness, this sake surprisingly reveals a fruity and gentle aroma. The initial impression can be deceptive, but the interplay of sweetness and robust flavour ensures the sharpness typical of dry sake. Beyond mere dryness, this sake embodies the unique character of "Mutsu Hassen," resulting in an "aromatic super-dry sake." Pair it with fresh seafood like bonito, mackerel, saba (mackerel), or aji (horse mackerel) sashimi for a delightful experience.

Awards:

• Silver Award in the Junmai category at the U.S. National Sake Appraisal 2019
• Gold Award in the Junmai category at Kura Master 2017

Hachinohe Shuzō was founded in 1775 by Komai Shōzaburō (駒井庄三郎), who traced his roots to the Omi merchants from the area around Takashima City in the north-west of present-day Shiga Prefecture. After the end of the Warring States period and the start of the Edo period, feudal lords from all over the country began to focus on the development of their domains. The Omi merchants followed the call when they were invited to trade in northern castle towns. Komai Shōzaburō, the founder of Mutsu Hassen, was one of the merchants who came to the Tohoku region. He later entered the brewing business and moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, in the Meiji era. In the Taisho era (1912-1926), the brewery was established in its present location under the name Komai Sake Brewery.

Today, Shōzaburō VIII and his ninth-generation sons, Nobuyuki and Hideyuki, are taking on the challenge of producing safe, tasty sake that is environmentally friendly and healthy for the times, using only locally produced rice and yeast as Aomori Prefecture's local sake, and famous water from the Hachinohe and Kanizawa areas as the brewing water. The brewery's two brands are Mutsu Otokoyama (陸奥男山) and Mutsu Hassen (陸奥八仙). The origin of Mutsu Hassen lies in the Chinese legend of the eight drunken hermits (陸奥八仙), which tells various anecdotes about them and their exciting ways of enjoying drinking. The name was chosen in the hope that the drinker would enjoy sake just like a drunken hermit.

Hachinohe Brewery has won countless national and international sake awards at Kura Master, the International Wine Challenge, the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, the Fine Sake Award, the Kan Sake Award, and many others.