Hakutsuru Draft Sake Junmai

Rating: 11/23 I'm a fan of Hakutsuru Superior Junmai Ginjo. This looks to be a somewhat lower-end release - but not as low-end as the baseline Hakutsuru release. I'm hopeful that this is toward the higher end of that range. N: Not much happening here. It's kind of oily with some kind of sweet vegetal notes. A hint of melon. Boring, but not bad. The longer I leave it in the glass though, the more sweet, juicy melon comes out. P: Kind of oily with sort of a yeasty spiciness that makes me think a little of Gouden Carolus Single Malt. It's the most beer-like flavor I recall encountering in a sake. There's a touch of melon going on in here too. The spice burns a little, but I wouldn't say that this has the harshness of some cheaper sakes. It's more like a pepper prickling on the tip of my tongue. There is a bit of vegetal flavor as well and I occasionally get serrano pepper out of the spiciness, but just a hint. F: The spices and hint of yeast really linger. It's surprising how those stay as the sweetness drops out entirely and the vegetal and rich flavors fall to the back. - Conclusion - This isn't bad, but it's not that great. It's serviceable. It doesn't have any really exciting flavors and it burns more than I'd expect from a good sake, though it isn't harsh. I've liked harsher sake (Mura Mura River (13/23) better because of a better flavor profile. Also, the burn here isn't great. I'm considering a 10 to 13, with the 13 being the least likely. Right now, I'd go with an 11.

Pleasant when served warm.