Seikyō Bangaihin Daiginjō Yonwari Migaki

Seikyō Bangaihin Daiginjō Yonwari Migaki (誠鏡 番外品 大吟醸四割磨き) is a premium Daiginjō from Nakao Shuzō in Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is made entirely from Hiroshima-grown Yamada Nishiki (山田錦), polished to 40%, and brewed to the same specifications as the brewery's entries for the National New Sake Awards (全国新酒鑑評会).

After brewing, the sake is matured for an extended period at low temperature, developing depth and a rounded character while retaining the elegant aroma expected of a Daiginjō. The brewery describes it as having a clear, refined flavour with little unwanted harshness, balanced by the rich umami and smoothness of Yamada Nishiki and a clean finish.

It has an alcohol content of 16.4%, an SMV of +1, and an acidity of 1.3, placing it in the medium-dry range rather than distinctly dry. It can be enjoyed chilled for a cleaner profile or at room temperature to bring out more of the rice-derived umami. Despite being produced to competition-level specifications and using highly polished Yamada Nishiki, it is sold as a Bangaihin (番外品), allowing the brewery to offer it at a relatively accessible price.

Nakao Shuzō was established in 1871 in Takehara on the picturesque Seto Inland Sea under the name 'Hiroshimaya' (廣島屋). In 1927, the brewery began developing its own yeast under the guidance of agricultural chemist and microbiologist Sakaguchi Kinichiro (坂口謹一). Fourteen years of experiments on more than 2,000 yeast varieties later, Nakao Kiyoma, the fourth-generation owner, finally found a yeast variety that produced an extraordinary bouquet (ginjoka): it had powerful alcohol-fermenting capabilities and refreshing acidity. Kiyoma had discovered the miracle apple yeast. In 1948, Nakao Shuzō was chosen to provide the sake for the Imperial Household New Year Celebration. In 1974, 'Maboroshi'-branded sake made with apple yeast was launched (for the then-astronomical price of JPY 8,000 for a 1,800ml bottle) and presented to the Imperial Household.

The brewery's logo on the right says 'Seikyō' (誠鏡), the signature Seikyo brand of Nakao Shuzō. Seikyō means "true mirror" and reflects the founder's wish that "sake poured into a cup may be like a mirror, with its quality revealing the sincerity in our brewers' hearts as they devote themselves to sake brewing."