Tokubetsu Junmaishu Kulasic Amadeus
A junmai brewery that brews with Mozart.
Ohara Shuzou is a brewery renowned for a sake born from two unlikely elements: the terroir of Kitakata and the sound of classical music. Their path has been one of conviction. In 1989, they made the decision to produce only premium, specially designated sake. Then, in 2009, they went further, committing to crafting and selling only junmai—pure rice sake. Today, they proudly offer over fifty varieties across eight different brands, centered on their classic 'Kulasic series.'
This is a place of uncompromising dedication. They hold fast to their traditional, small-batch (10-koku) brewing methods, they do not blend, and they make absolutely no compromises at any stage of the process. For the 10th-generation president, Kosuke Ohara, this sometimes means waking in the middle of the night just to adjust a tank's temperature. "Blending," he explains, "allows for complacency in your work." He believes that the more effort you put in, the more that effort is directly reflected in the final product.
And then there is their other great obsession. This is the very first brewery in Japan to brew its sake to the sound of classical music. The idea began around 1987, when President Ohara was at the Brewing Institute in Tokyo, researching the effects of ultrasound on sake. This sparked an experiment: he played over fifty different types of music to the fermenting mash, from rock to classical. The results were astounding. The yeast in the group listening to classical—and specifically, to Mozart—multiplied faster than the others. The flavor changed, too. The sake became more mellow and aromatic, with less bitterness and acidity.
Ever since that discovery, they have continued their unique tradition, brewing a 'music sake' that is serenaded by Mozart from start to finish.
Ohara Shuzou Co., Ltd
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In the Edo period, it flourished as a key point on the highway connecting Aizu-Wakamatsu and Yonezawa, and even today, many of its old townscapes remain on the Otazuki Kura Dori. And right there, Ohara Shuzou has been brewing Japanese sake for about 300 years!
When they guided me through the historic brewery, what I heard was the sound of classical music, bigger than I imagined and so pleasant! 🎶 I got to ask Mr. Kosuke Ohara, the president of Ohara Shuzou—famous for their Kulasic sake, which is brewed while the moromi (fermenting mash) listens to classical music—all about his brewing secrets!
Their special sound system uses full-range speakers with woofers for the bass. They say that by playing music, they can create a delicious sake free of impurities. And get this—they started doing this 40 years ago! 😳
The Choki Jukuseishu1984 is a Junmai Daiginjo that was brewed back in 1984 while listening to classical music, with long-term aging in mind. It has been slowly and perfectly matured at a low temperature of 0 to -5 degrees Celsius, allowing you to enjoy its deep, complex flavor and mystical aroma.
▶︎Choki Jukuseishu1984 (Junmai Daiginjo) ▶︎Daiginjo Junmai Kokyokyoku(Symphony) Classic
🏘️: Ohara Shuzou 📍: 2846 Minamimachi, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture
And then, Ms. Fumiko Ohara, the Senior Managing Director, introduced me to the Daiginjo Junmai Kokyokyoku(Symphony) Classic, which has won so many glittering awards! 🏆 This Kulasic sake, raised on Mozart, is fruity and aromatic, with a deep and expansive flavor that's super popular with fans overseas, too! 🍶✨♪
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