Echigo Tsurukame Daiginjo

Echigo Tsurukame Daiginjo
Brewer: Uehara Shuzou Niigata, Japan
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Milling Rate: 40%
Sake Meter Value +4
Alcohol Content 17 to 18%

Echigo Tsurukame Daiginjo is the fabled sake mentioned on this blog as well as on malleong.blogspot.com.This sake was highly recommended by the helpful woman at Meishu Center in Tokyo. There is no one word that describes this sake as it had a very complex flavor.True to its SMV rating of +4, it was dry, yet very well balanced. There is the subtle sweetness of rice that was evident with each sip. Like all daiginjo, we tasted ours chilled. The consistency was like heavy water or light syrup as we drank it. It was silky smooth.This sake had a sophisticated flavor that made each of us wanting more after each sip. This was the highlight of the night.

The staff person at the Meishu Center mentioned that in 2006, this sake was offered to the Imperial Family in celebration of the birth of their heir. In Japanese, Echigo is the region of Japan. Tsuru is crane. Kame is turtle. The Tsuru is known for longevity and good fortune.The Kame is also known for its longevity.This sake definitely is worthy of such a gift. We too felt like royalty in enjoying such a fine sake. Probably the finest that we had ever tasted at that time.

I tried finding the Daiginjo Echigo Tsurukame in Hawaii but was not successful. I found a hon juzou Echigo Tsurukame from Uehara Shuzou locally. However, it is far from the Daiginjo.We see the finer sake locally in Hawaii Selling for $50 + for the 720 ml. The Echigo Tsurukame Daiginjo cost 10,500 yen for the 1.8 Liter bottle. This price and higher is reserved for only a few sake worthy of this distinction. This sake definitely was in that category.
Guest posted by Mr. Dean Sakata