Aramasa Shuzou
Viridian Junmai Kimoto Genshu Sake
Akita, Japan
Aramasa (新政) Colors "Viridian" (天鵞絨)
Brewery: Aramasa Shuzo, Akita City, Akita, Japan
Classification: Junmai, Kimoto, Genshu (restaurant listed as Junmai Daiginjo)
Brewing: Kimoto starter, fermented in wooden vat (kioke #43)
Rice: Misato Nishiki, 100% (2025 harvest, Akita grown)
Polishing: Koji 55% / Kake 55%
Yeast: Kyokai No. 6
ABV: 13% (undiluted)
Bottle: 720ml
Made 2026.02, shipped 2026.05
Part of Aramasa's Colors series. Viridian, "velvet" in Japanese, is the fullest-bodied of the Colors. The brewery's lot note says this season's bottling runs higher in amino acids than usual, putting mellowness up front, with Shine Muscat and blood orange aromas.
Tasted at Sushi Ai, Redwood City, 10/23/2026. Effervescent, fresh and airy, with a light carbonic bitterness from the bubbles. Slightly sweeter and heavier on the palate than the Cosmos. The fan favorite at the table.
Aramasa (新政) Colors "Viridian" (天鵞絨)
Brewery: Aramasa Shuzo, Akita City, Akita, Japan
Classification: Junmai, Kimoto, Genshu (restaurant listed as Junmai Daiginjo)
Brewing: Kimoto starter, fermented in wooden vat (kioke #43)
Rice: Misato Nishiki, 100% (2025 harvest, Akita grown)
Polishing: Koji 55% / Kake 55%
Yeast: Kyokai No. 6
ABV: 13% (undiluted)
Bottle: 720ml
Made 2026.02, shipped 2026.05
Part of Aramasa's Colors series. Viridian, "velvet" in Japanese, is the fullest-bodied of the Colors. The brewery's lot note says this season's bottling runs higher in amino acids than usual, putting mellowness up front, with Shine Muscat and blood orange aromas.
Tasted at Sushi Ai, Redwood City, 10/23/2026. Effervescent, fresh and airy, with a light carbonic bitterness from the bubbles. Slightly sweeter and heavier on the palate than the Cosmos. The fan favorite at the table.
For me, the greatest contraction of the best wines is power without weight. This bottle was significant to me for this very reason. It was the first time I thought of sake as being great. It's really the sensation of drinking it that I remember. Structure and finesse, refined profile, and remarkably balanced.
For me, the greatest contraction of the best wines is power without weight. This bottle was significant to me for this very reason. It was the first time I thought of sake as being great. It's really the sensation of drinking it that I remember. Structure and finesse, refined profile, and remarkably balanced.
Aug 5th, 2018
