• Prefecture: Niigata

• Rice & polishing: Omachi, polished to 40%

• Style: Junmai Daiginjo

• Food pairings: Sashimi, grilled white fish, shio yakitori, tempura

• Taste: Gentle ginjo aroma, mellow, deep umami, crisp finish

• Alc.: 17%

The sixth edition (2025) of the Kakurei Years Bottle was designed by Satono Kondo, an illustrator and manga artist based in New York. It is a Junmai Daiginjo sake made by polishing the rare brewing rice 'Omachi' down to 40%. Afterwards, it was stored and managed in the 'Kakurei Snow Room.' This Junmai Daiginjo sake features a gentle ginjo aroma and a mellow mouthfeel, harmonising the deep umami characteristic of Omachi rice with a pleasant acidity, creating a crisp finish.

About the brewery

Aoki Shuzo was founded in 1717 and brews in the Uonuma district of Niigata, best known for its Kakurei label. The brewery focuses on sake made from Uonuma-grown rice and also bottles the Yukiotoko line.