Iinuma Meijo, founded in 1811 in Tochigi City on the historic road to Nikko, named the Sugata line after a local figure-mirror pond from a legend that has defined the region's identity for centuries. The line accounts for only about 10% of the brewery's total production, kept deliberately small to ensure precision. Hitogokochi rice from Nagano, polished to reveal a fragrant, juicy profile, brings lower protein content than Miyama Nishiki and a particular ginjo-friendliness. Rich and powerful for its category, it delivers pineapple and melon aromatics, a creamy, full-bodied palate, and a vibrant acidity that keeps each sip clean and bright.
Mar 10, 2024, 9:44 AM