Retsu Junmai Daiginjō Happōnigori is a cloudy sake with detailed instructions on how to open it. And you better heed them! Kojima recommends always keeping the bottle refrigerated at around 0°C. The bottle should be pointed away from people and fragile objects when opened. The cap should be loosened slightly and tightened just before it starts spilling, a process to be repeated until the gas has settled. Ignore this, and you get to enjoy only half a bottle or less.
The secondary fermentation in the bottle differs from bottle to bottle. Some bottles are vigorously effervescent; others are less effervescent. As this is not a product with artificially added carbon dioxide gas, it is not a product where a certain level of gas pressure can be guaranteed.
It has a subdued aroma and a refreshing flavour of apples with lactic and citric notes. Along with the aroma, sweetness and umami gradually spread to the mouth. For a junmai daiginjo, it is quite crisp, allowing you to savour the fullness and sharpness of the flavour (SMV of +8.0). Nevertheless, it has a very good balance of sweetness, umami, acidity and sharpness, making it an exciting sake to pair with food or enjoy as aperitif. We had it chilled and also recommend drinking it cold to savour its crispness--the brewery suggests room temperature or even slight heating to those who love their sake more flavourful.
The secondary fermentation in the bottle differs from bottle to bottle. Some bottles are vigorously effervescent; others are less effervescent. As this is not a product with artificially added carbon dioxide gas, it is not a product where a certain level of gas pressure can be guaranteed.
It has a subdued aroma and a refreshing flavour of apples with lactic and citric notes. Along with the aroma, sweetness and umami gradually spread to the mouth. For a junmai daiginjo, it is quite crisp, allowing you to savour the fullness and sharpness of the flavour (SMV of +8.0). Nevertheless, it has a very good balance of sweetness, umami, acidity and sharpness, making it an exciting sake to pair with food or enjoy as aperitif. We had it chilled and also recommend drinking it cold to savour its crispness--the brewery suggests room temperature or even slight heating to those who love their sake more flavourful.