Tozai Snow Maiden

Rating: 16/23 Unexpectedly tart and very rich. The nigori creaminess is appealing. The variety develops nicely into the finish. The flavor is fruity with a good balance of sweetness, tartness, and richness. A hint of licorice is present, reminiscent of Baiju but not overpowering. It's a very good selection, though it could benefit from slightly more intensity from its subtle flavors, and the finish is not entirely clean. There's a lot of texture from the nigori. The flavor has considerable banana sweetness. There's also a sweetness from other fruits that comes with a crispness, somewhat like apple. Mild melon juiciness emerges as well, akin to mild honeydew mixed with cantaloupe. The alcohol is noticeable but has minimal impact on the flavor. It leans sweet, but not excessively so. While I'm not fond of the banana, it does impart a pleasant tropical feel. The flavor and complexity are not exceptional, but they are quite good, making this very drinkable. There's a subtle bread note with perhaps a trace of yeast. A mild earthiness is also present.

A subtle licorice note. Slightly bitter/sour, yet smooth, cloudy, and mildly sweet. Decent, but not exceptional.

Creamy with a slight hint of licorice, a mild burn, and a faint sour aftertaste

Smoothness without sweetness. A gentle warmth spreads through the chest.