This sake is one of the Kokuryu Limited Release Series, which means production is scarce, and it is made in the brewery once a year in the winter season. The naming of this sake is very significant and it’s important to understand how the sake name was derived and how this is related to sake brewing.
Firstly, the number 88 is associated with good fortune and luck in Japan.
Secondly, the kanji reading for hachijyuhachigo 검枷검뵀 can be stacked up (and inverted) on each other to form the kanji character for rice 쵠, which is a key ingredient in sake making.
Thirdly, the name Daiginjo No. 88 is derived from the brewery’s tank No.88 which was used to produce their sake submission for Japan’s National Sake Competition.
This sake is made with Yamada Nishiki rice polished to 35% of its original grain size. Due to precise controls around cold temperature fermentation the sake is very aromatic with beautiful muscat melon notes. No.88 is smooth and has outstanding balance of the sweet and acidic elements. There are undertones of umami and a clean, sharp finish. This is a sake that can be consumed aperitivo style but is best suited to light, elegant dishes such as sushi and sashimi where it will provide the perfect liquid synergy for the meal.
This sake has an amazing woven label of gold thread and a background of textured elements. Fukui prefecture is famous throughout Japan as the centre for specialisation in textiles and label making (Echizen ori) and this sake is very famous because of this distinctive branding.
- Brewery: KOKURYU
- Region: Fukui
- Classification: Daiginjo
- %ALC/VOL: 16%
- Net Volume: 720ml
- Rice: Yamadanishiki
- Rice Polishing Ratio: 35%
- SMV (Sake Meter Value): +3
- Serve: Cold | Chilled
- Matching Food: Seafood - lobster, prawns, crab
Heigo Australia is Australia's official importer and distributor of Kokuryu Sake.