Inishie : Aoitsuru 1995

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Inishie Aoitsuru 1995

Tasting

Nose

The nose reveals soft, floral aromas, dominated by notes of acacia honey and almonds, accompanied by subtle hints of rice.

Palate

The palate offers a lightly toasted character, delicate sweetness and gentle acidity. A spicy touch harmoniously balances the whole.

Mixology

This exceptional sake is best enjoyed unadorned, to fully appreciate its rarity and aromatic complexity.

An exceptional vintage sake from Japan’s Hyōgo Prefecture

Inishie, a house specializing in the selection of koshus, vintage Japanese sakes

Founded in 2017, Inishie works in particular with the Inami Shuzo brewery, established in 1889 in Miki in Hyōgo Prefecture, a region renowned for its Yamada Nishiki rice. Inishie highlights sakes aged at room temperature or in warmer conditions, developing rare complexity and aromatic depth. Offering rare vintages from 1983 to 1997, the House demonstrates sake’s exceptional ageing potential, which can reach thirty years. Owned by Yasumura, Inishie reveals a lesser-known facet of Japan’s spirits culture.

An aged koshu revealing the complexity of time

Aoitsuru 1995 is made from Yamada Nishiki rice polished to 60%, grown in Hyōgo Prefecture on the island of Honshū. Produced by the Inami Shuzo brewery founded in 1889 in Miki, this sake is aged at room temperature or in warmer conditions before bottling. This maturation process triggers Maillard reactions that give koshu its characteristic amber hue and its complex aromatic profile, blending floral sweetness with toasted notes. The 0.375 L half-bottle format underscores the precious nature of this vintage, attesting to sake’s remarkable ageing potential, which can extend over several decades. This cuvée perfectly illustrates Inishie’s philosophy: to reveal rare vintage sakes that challenge preconceived ideas about the keeping of this traditional Japanese drink.