Seikyō Bangaihin Junmai Chōkarakuchi Muroka Namagenshu

Seikyō Bangaihin Junmai Chōkarakuchi Muroka Namagenshu (誠鏡 番外品 純米超辛口 無濾過生原酒) is a seasonal summer release from Nakao Shuzō in Hiroshima Prefecture. Created as a versatile food sake for the warmer months, it is bottled directly after pressing as an unfiltered, unpasteurised, undiluted Junmai sake, preserving the freshness and lively character of the new brew.

Made from 100% Hiroshima-grown rice polished to 65%, it is fermented with Kanazawa K1401 yeast to an SMV of +8, an acidity of 1.5, and an alcohol content of 16%. Although brewed in a distinctly dry (chōkarakuchi) style, the sake retains a generous rice-derived umami, demonstrating that dryness need not come at the expense of richness. The fresh aroma, concentrated flavour and crisp, clean finish make it particularly well suited as a summer food sake, pairing equally well with seafood, grilled fish and meat dishes. Best enjoyed well chilled, it showcases the vibrant character of freshly pressed muroka nama genshu while maintaining excellent balance and drinkability.

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."