DESIGN 01
Snow Drop (Akebono Shuzo)
"Yogurt sake made with sake" is its unique concept. Since it's low in alcohol, even people who say "I'm not good with alcohol" can enjoy it.
Snowdrop is the name of a flower. It is a delicate flower that heralds spring, characterized by its ephemeral appearance and innocence, yet it blooms with strength. I was consulted by the current brewery president, who had just made his U-turn back to Aizu, who said, "I want to make this kind of sake," and we created the recipe together. We designed a label with a gentle impression out of a desire for "even people who don't normally have a connection to sake to pick it up." It seems the feeling we put into the design has been conveyed to the customers, as it has become a product loved by many young female fans.
DESIGN 02
Kaze ga Fuku (Shiraishuzoten)
Made with 100% Gohyakumangoku rice organically grown by members of the local agricultural corporation 'Shizen Noho Mu no Kai.' A satisfying bottle with a solid body.
Shiraishuzoten is a small-scale brewery, but it is known for its meticulous brewing methods. The appeal of this sake is its flavor, which is somewhere between 'modern sake' and 'sake of the past.' It's not the 'crisp, refreshing, and easy-to-drink' type, but rather one where the 'flavor slowly unfolds.' They don't have a year-round standard product; instead, the color of the label changes depending on the season and brewing method. When it was first released, it had one of the most impressive labels. The character for 'kaze' (wind) is a nice one, isn't it? There are quite a few customers who purchase it based on the impact of the label alone.
DESIGN 03
Hatsuyukisou Peach (Minenoyuki Shuzojo)
An alcohol from a completely new production method, born from the two-stage fermentation of sake and the alcohol fermentation of peach juice. It luxuriously uses rice from Aizu and peach juice.
For Hatsuyukisou, there is also a Junmai sake called "Clear," and this is a derivative product. Its greatest feature is that it is fermented together with the sake, rather than simply mixing in fruit juice like a liqueur. Besides peach, there are also banana, grape, and apple versions, all of which achieve a deep flavor. The brewery's challenging spirit of "wanting to create a new sake that has never existed before" is expressed on the label, but it would be even better if it could also skillfully express the characteristics of the production method.
DESIGN 04
Ibuki Aoshirotsurubami
(TOYOKUNI SHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
A limited brand from Ibuki, made with 100% 'Miyamanishiki' sake rice. It is characterized by the contrast between its soft sweetness and faint bitterness.
This brewery is a company known for its unique sales methods, such as selling only through special contracted stores and prohibiting internet sales. From the unadorned, solid-looking label, you can feel the brewery's "resolve" and "pride" in their sake brewing. While there are many charming labels these days, I find myself drawn to this kind of "sake with a single-minded conviction." The young, 9th-generation brewer is someone who makes you feel that "he is looking ahead to something." He is a presence that makes one look forward to his sake brewing 10 and 20 years from now.
DESIGN 05
Ura-ROMAN (HANAIZUMI Sake Brewery)
Several types from the "ROMAN" series are blended. An "Ura" (reverse/special) product made with a different blend each time. You can enjoy a different flavor every year.
At first glance, it is a brand name that cannot be read as "Roman," but there is a story behind its origin. According to the story, when the brewery was developing the concept for a new brand to follow their traditional "Hanaizumi," they noticed that the characters for the brewing number 'Ichi-go' (No. 1) could be read as 'Hito-Roman.' This coincided with their feeling that "sake brewing is a romance (roman)," which led to the creation of this brand. Knowing a brand story like this may deepen the flavor of the sake all the more. The idea of inverting the logo for the 'Ura' (reverse) brand is also interesting.
DESIGN 06
Junmai Nama-chozo-shu Tefu (Kokken Brewery)
An elegant sake with a full-bodied ginjo aroma that drifts through the mouth, characterized by a faint sweetness and a clean aftertaste. A limited product available only in the spring.
The label for "Tefu" is appealing for its neat and beautiful design, and the contents are exactly as the label suggests. There is also a Junmai Daiginjo version of Tefu with a gray label which is also delicious, but this white-labeled Junmai Nama-chozo-shu is light, clear, and goes down smoothly—it perfectly matches the image of the label. While many light and easy-to-drink sakes can give an impression of being "thin," this one is highly satisfying with its full-bodied aroma. It enhances the flavor of food, making it perfect to enjoy during a meal.
