Limited-Edition Sake Made with Nishinomiya’s Original Sakura Yeast Coming from Ozeki

It looks like sake made from Nishinomiya City’s original cherry blossom, “Imazu Benikanzakura（いまずべにかんざくら）,” has been released by Ozeki.
（Information provided by Iroha @ Nishitsu SP)

Here it is↓

This sake was actually sold in 2022 as a limited-quantity, Kinki-area-only release, and this time it’s apparently being re-released nationwide. What’s more, it’s a serious contender that won a gold award in the Junmai Daiginjo category at “Kura Master 2023,” a Japanese sake competition for French people.

It goes on sale from Wednesday, February 13. It’s 3,329 yen including tax for 720 mL.

This cherry tree(just one tree) is the Imazu Benikanzakura（いまづべにかんざくら）. It’s located in Daito Park. Apparently, it’s the first cherry tree to bloom in the park.

The sake is said to be a junmai daiginjo made with cherry blossom yeast collected from the Imazu Benikanzakura, using 100% Hyogo-grown Yamada Nishiki, which is considered especially high quality even among Yamada Nishiki, the finest rice for sake brewing.

I think it will also be sold at “Amakara no Sekijuan” in Imazu, along Sakegura-dori Street〜!

Lastly

The Imazu Benikanzakura is an early-blooming cherry tree that flowers from early to mid-March, and according to Nishitsu’s information last year, it was the second cherry tree to bloom in Nishinomiya〜. Since it’s warm this year, it might bloom even earlier〜. Wish we could drink it here〜

※Iroha @ Nishitsu SP, thank you for the information!
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