Yamatan Masamune Moon Light 1831 Junmai Daiginjo

Ever since 2011, I’ve brought a bottle of Yamatan Masamune Junmai Daiginjo home with me every time I’ve visited Japan. I find their take on the popular high-polish Yamada-Nishiki formula to be something special and well worth my time. 

This year, I had the opportunity to meet Nobuki Yagi, the brewery’s Kuramoto, at the PIA Spring Sake Festival in Shibuya. We had a nice conversation regarding my enthusiasm for his labels as I lamented the fact that I need to travel to Japan in order to have his sake. This comment was met with good news, as they are currently working hard on working out a deal to export their selection to the United States. 

We can only hope it happens soon.

In addition to the brewery’s usual selection, Yagi-san was also serving samples of a Junmai Daiginjo called Moon Light 1831. I was fortunate enough to buy a bottle when I was leaving the event. 

This label uses Matsuyama Mii rice polished to 50% and features a clean, yet very bold and fruity taste. i doubt that this will be a regular offering, as i don’t see it listed anywhere on their website, but it’s nice to see them branching out and trying to do things with different kinds of rice.

In the meantime, i’ll continue to look forward to buying their labels in the US soon!