| Brand | Atago no Matsu |
| Region | Miyagi, Tohoku, Japan |
| Spirits Type | Sake |
| Spirits Style | Tokubetsu Honjozo |
| ABV | 15.5% abv/ Rice Polishing: 60% |
Product details
Atago no Matsu (“Pine of Atago”) is the signature Tokubetsu Honjozo from Niizawa Jōzōten, a family-owned brewery based in Miyagi Prefecture. Crafted from premium Yamada Nishiki rice polished to 60 %, this sake showcases the brewery’s philosophy of using top-tier ingredients in an accessible style. The brand is deeply rooted in its local community—loved by locals as a reliable daily drink—and is guided by brewer Iwao Niizawa (daughter of the brewery’s founder), who champions “ultimate food sakes” that are clean, elegant, and food-friendly. Although it carries a small addition of distilled alcohol typical of honjozo, Atago no Matsu’s spirit lies in its harmony: traditional craftsmanship meets modern refinement.
On the palate and nose, this Tokubetsu Honjozo offers an enticing bouquet of red berries, tropical fruit, and subtle floral-herbal nuances—think wild strawberry, green herbs, and honeysuckle—backed by a creamy, gentle texture and a brisk, dry finish. With an ABV around 15–16%, an SMV of +6 to +7, and acidity near 1.6–1.7, it maintains a clean yet flavorful balance. Enjoy chilled to highlight its red apple, tropical fruit, and cream notes, or serve slightly warmed to reveal sweeter vegetal nuances. As for food pairings, this versatile sake is ideal with seafood—oysters, scallops, fluke—and even caviar, while also standing up deliciously to richer fare like grilled gyūtan (beef tongue), roast pork, creamy cheeses, or light poultry dishes.
