尾澤酒造場 十九 Nanuq 白熊 火入 - 720ml

Brewery History:
Ozawa was founded around 1820 in Nagano. Brewing stopped in 1998 as the market shrank. Eighth-generation Toshiaki Ozawa restarted it in 2001 and named the brand Jukyu, “nineteen,” meaning not yet twenty, still growing. Ferments run cool, about 35 days, aimed at a food sake with flavour. The series is named for animals and plants; the white and black cats sit in the same line. Nanuq is Inuit for polar bear.

Sake Introduction:
100% Dewasansan, 35% seimaibuai, at junmai daiginjo level though some labels leave the grade unstated. Bottle-pasteurised, then held about eight months, rounder than the nama but still fruity. Nihonshudo around −3, on the sweet side. Versus the white-cat nama, this is quieter, with riper melon and muscat. Drink at 5–8°C.

Tasting Notes:
Nosing: Melon, muscat, or ripe fig.
Palate: Slightly silky, juicy sweetness, acidity drawing a line.
Finish: Cool and clean, a sea-breeze lift.