We performed the "first tasting of the year."

It's especially humid and sticky today, isn't it?

It's raining steadily in Nagaoka City, and it looks like we'll have typical rainy season weather for a while.

Today, the annual "drinking ceremony" is taking place.

Undeterred by the humidity outside, Shinkozo was as cool and refreshing as ever.

The sake tasting proceeds quietly and steadily.

Those of you who regularly read the Yoshinogawa blog may already know this,

Let me briefly explain it again.

"Nomikiri" refers to the "nomi" in the tanks where alcohol is stored.

This refers to opening (or closing) the spout.

There are approximately 60 storage tanks of various sizes located in Yoshinogawa.

Once a year, you can finish drinking it and taste it to see how it has aged and how the flavor has changed.

The purpose is to determine when the alcohol in that tank is ready to drink.

Since the quantity is so large, the tasting takes an entire day.

If you swallow it every time, you'll get drunk in no time.

Take a small sip, taste it, and then spit it out.

It may look fun, but it's actually a very physically demanding event that consumes a lot of energy. (laughs)

And the sake that received the highest rating in this "first taste test" was:

It will be commercialized as "the perfect sake to drink right now!"

This is a limited-edition product available only during the summer, so quantities are limited.

Please try it and experience what it's like to be a sake brewer!

The product will be released from the warehouse on July 15th (Tuesday).