| Brand | Gakki Masamune |
| Region | Fukushima, Japan |
| Spirits Type | Sake |
| Spirits Style | Honjozo |
| ABV | 16% / Rice Polishing: 60% |
Product details
Gakki Masamune Nakadori Honjozo originates from Okidaikichi Honten, a historic sake brewery founded in 1865 in Yabuki village, Fukushima—a region renowned for its quality rice and clear water. The “Gakki Masamune” name (“gakki” meaning “musical instrument”) reflects a philosophy focused on lyrical elegance and playful clarity. Crafted as a honjozo-style sake, it includes a small amount of distilled alcohol to enhance aroma and texture, while still predominantly relying on pure rice—specifically Yume no Kaori polished to around 60–66%. The “Nakadori” label denotes a special pressing method that captures only the mid-stream from the press—avoiding the harsh arabashiri and bitter kasu tails—resulting in a refined and balanced core that showcases the brewer’s skill.
On the nose and palate, Nakadori delivers an entrancing bouquet of orchard and stone fruits—muscat, green grape, white peach, mandarin orange—alongside delicate banana bread and wildflower honey nuances. Its texture is plush and juicy, yet infused with a subtle effervescence and bright acidity that give it a refreshing lift and lingering crisp finish. This layered yet clear profile makes it an ideal partner to richer foods—crab, lobster, shrimp, and fried spring rolls—while also complementing lighter fare like sashimi, tempura, mild cheeses, grilled chicken (teriyaki style), and light Asian-infused salads.
