Juyondai Honmaru Hiden Tamakaeshi

Among the more attainable expressions of the sought-after Juyondai brand, Honmaru is a Tokubetsu Honjozo brewed by Takagi Shuzo in Yamagata. Its tamakaeshi technique returns a portion of distilled spirit from the brewery's own sake back into the brew, producing layers of sweetness and fragrance unusual for the grade. Made from Gohyakumangoku polished to 55%, it reaches 15% ABV with a sake meter value of +2 and a moderate acidity of 1.3. Its flavor blends rice, fruit, and umami. Distributed by lottery allocation, it commands high resale prices despite its comparatively modest classification.

The most 'accessible' Juyondai, Honmaru is a Tokubetsu Honjozo that tastes like a Junmai Daiginjo. Its secret tamakaeshi technique returns a portion of distilled spirit from the brewery's own sake back into the brew, creating layers of sweetness and fragrance unusual for its grade. A lottery-allocation bottle that commands sky-high resale prices.