| Brand | Katsuyama |
| Region | Japan |
| Spirits Type | Sake |
| Spirits Style | |
| ABV | 16% |
Product details
The name Katsuyama means “Mt. Victoria.” Katsu means victory, or outstanding excellence, while yama (mountain) indicates greatness, or a large immovable presence, making it a highly auspicious name. It is the only brewery in Japan to adopt the most luxurious and meticulous brewing method, producing only one tank per week and only the highest class of sake.
Akatsuki is a word meaning a "new dawn" and "sunrise," as this sake is intended as a new modern style for the next generation of sake. It has an elegant flavor unlike any other before it. The softly rich fragrance and plump, full-bodied taste are enjoyed along with extreme clarity. Combining a high level of perfection with a delicate balance of flavors and aromas, this top-class umami sake befits the Katsuyama worldview.
Rice: Yamadanishiki | Rice Polishing Ratio: 35%
With notes of flint, earth, jam, citrus, and peach, Katsuyama Akatsuki has a lot of complexity. This SAKE boasts a large structure, profound concentration, refreshing acidity, and an off-dry finish that is expertly balanced. Its finish is long-lasting, peppery, and meaty.
Katsuyama sakes are best chilled ahead of time and drunk in a wine glass. The greatness of Katsuyama's sake cannot be appreciated adequately in ordinary sake cups. Fill it about one-third full, and pour a little at a time so that the temperature does not become too warm while drinking.
Katsuyama, founded during the Genroku era of the Edo period, has been a prominent sake brewery in Sendai for over 320 years. The name "Katsuyama" has two possible origins: one linked to samurai wishing to "accumulate victories like mountains," and the other to a popular samurai-inspired hairstyle, the "Katsuyama Mage," worn by fashionable women of the early Edo period. The brewery's sake is crafted using soft water sourced from deep wells, fed by spring water from Mount Izumigatake. This water, rich in natural silica, is ideal for sake production, contributing to a soft, clean flavor.
In pursuit of sake excellence, Katsuyama moved away from the standard "Special Designation Sake" system and focused on innovation. The brewery utilizes a custom-tuned centrifuge and a unique week-long fermentation process, as seen in their flagship Diamond Akatsuki. This meticulous process allows for controlled fermentation, resulting in sake with rich, transparent flavors. Additionally, Katsuyama employs an early-bottling method to preserve freshness, followed by storage at -5°C to maintain quality until shipment, ensuring a sake that is both vibrant and well-preserved.
