Nishida Denshu Junmai 2024 "Country Squire"

We’ve been selling this hyper allocated and super popular benchmark Junmai sake for almost two decades, and have decided to update our review of this brew that should be on every sake enthusiast's bucket list. The nose on this “Country Squire” brew is a cool collection of pear, apple pie, straw, sunflower seeds, nougat, vanilla cream, stewed prunes, trail mix, and steamed rice aromas. The flavors and feelings of Denshu have “modernized” and are now of the light, semi-spritzy, fresh, buoyant, and gently effervescent ilk. This is an old-school Junmai that has gone back to the new school for a more refreshing and Ginjo-like drinking experience. There is a very nice shibumi and tannin-like dryness that appeals to wine drinkers, with a professional clean and quick kire finish. Look for Asian pear, sourdough, cooked apples, brown sugar, mandarin orange, trail mix, and steamed rice, with a touch of white pepper and a healthy push of umami. A classic brew that has modernized just a bit! WORD: Umami WINE: Complex Reds/Lively Whites BEER: Big Ales FOODS: Grilled everything, yakitori, meats and roasts, and everything from the ocean. (2024)