Kinoshita's Tamagawa Shizenshikomi Junmai Yamahai Iwai Muroka Namagenshu opens with a gentle, fruity aroma accented by mild lactic notes reminiscent of sour yoghurt. The flavour is rich and full-bodied, with a smooth, satin-like texture and a noticeable sweetness that brings out the soft, rounded character of Iwai rice. At 19.3% ABV, it delivers a strong presence while remaining well-balanced. This marks the first Junmai brewed with the yamahai method by Kinoshita since 2020. Enjoyed both chilled and at room temperature, it becomes creamier as it warms, revealing greater depth and complexity. A release worth revisiting, and one we hope to see again soon!
Kinoshita's "3U" (undiluted, unpasteurized, unfiltered) series. The term "natural brewing" (自然仕込み) refers to a distinctive and entirely traditional method of sake production. Rather than relying on cultured yeast, the brewery uses only the wild yeast that inhabits the building itself. This process, grounded in historical techniques such as yamahai (山廃) and kimoto (生酛), allows nature to take the lead, enabling fermentation to unfold with the microbes native to the brewery environment.
Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean and medium(+)
Aroma: slightly sweet, lactic
Sweetness: medium
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium(+)
Alcohol: strong
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium(+)
Flavour characteristics: sweet
Texture: velvety
Finish: long, clean
Quality level: excellent
Kinoshita's "3U" (undiluted, unpasteurized, unfiltered) series. The term "natural brewing" (自然仕込み) refers to a distinctive and entirely traditional method of sake production. Rather than relying on cultured yeast, the brewery uses only the wild yeast that inhabits the building itself. This process, grounded in historical techniques such as yamahai (山廃) and kimoto (生酛), allows nature to take the lead, enabling fermentation to unfold with the microbes native to the brewery environment.
Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean and medium(+)
Aroma: slightly sweet, lactic
Sweetness: medium
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium(+)
Alcohol: strong
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium(+)
Flavour characteristics: sweet
Texture: velvety
Finish: long, clean
Quality level: excellent