Dry, clean, light-bodied and well-refined. This is a representative of the Tanrei Karakuchi sake made in Niigata, the heartland of Japanese premium sake production.
Basic Information
Brand : KIRIN-ZAN
Nickname : “Classic” Type of sake: Futsu-shu
Seimai Buai: Rice milled to 65 %
Alcohol: 15-16% by volume
Size & UPC: 1800ml, 6-pack, UPC: 844650025057
720ml, 12-pack, UPC: 844650025040
300ml, 30-pack, UPC: 844650025088
180ml(cup), 30-pack UPC: 844650025118
Producer
Name: Kirinzan Shuzo Founded: 1843
President: Shuntaro Saito – the 7th generation of the founding family
Toji (Master Brewer): Yoshiaki Hasegawa
Location: 46 Tsugawa, Aga-cho, Niigata 959-4402, Japan
Website: www.niigatasake.com
Rice: Gohyaku-man-goku and Koshi-ibuki
Water: Soft water Yeast: G9NF SMV: +6 Acidity: 1.3 Amino acids: 1.2
No sulfite, no preservatives.
Serving temp.: Slightly chilled, Room temp., Luke-warm
Tasting note: Dry, clean, light-bodied, well-balanced. Satisfying aromas of hazelnut, melon and rice with minerality and intensity.
Food pairing: Matches well with most of Japanese dishes, especially when served room temp or lukewarm, including raw/lightly grilled fish and shrimps, tofu, simmered vegetable, and sunomono. Bacon-wrapped Scallops - “The Classic” is paired with the soft, rich, nuttiness of the seared Sea Scallop because of the ricey, nutty aromas of the sake. The crispy, salty outer rim of seared bacon needs the strong more intensely forward flavors that the sake provides.
Other recommendations: Trout Amandine, Roasted chestnuts, Terrine of foie-gras, Sea urchin carbonara, Pear and frangipane tart.
Kirinzan Shuzo is located near Mt. Kirin (= Kirin-zan) in Tsugawa, Niigata. Kirin is a mythical creature much like a flying unicorn, is believed to bring about happiness and luck. The brewery won gold medals at the Japan National Sake Competition in 2016, 2014, 2012, 2009, 2008, etc.