This sake is a special collaboration between Kuribayashi Brewery and Takara Saketen, a sake shop in Akita. It’s a nigori (cloudy) sake made with live yeast, unfiltered and unpasteurized—like a Japanese-style sparkling wine. Be careful when opening, as the natural carbonation can cause it to overflow. If you open it slowly, little by little, the bubbles will start to rise from the cloudy sediment at the bottom with a soft fizzing sound. On the nose, you’ll notice a sweet and tangy aroma reminiscent of apples. On the palate, gentle sweetness and rich umami from the rice spread softly across the tongue, followed by a refreshing acidity that wraps everything together. The flavor unfolds gradually, with umami leading and a pleasant acidity following close behind. A delicate, well-balanced sake with a smooth and gentle finish.