風之森 秋津穗 試驗釀造酒

【風之森 秋津穗 試驗釀造酒】

油長酒造紥根於奈良縣超過300年。酒藏透過科學去改良釀酒技術和調整釀造用的超硬水，使其鉻柄「風之森」清酒具備有個性風格和新鮮口感。「風之森」系列的特點是帶有清新微碳酸口感。所謂的微碳酸是源自於酒精發酵過程中所產生的二氧化碳氣泡

自 1998 年風之森誕生以來，「秋津穗 657」一直被視為品牌的代表作品，是理解風之森世界觀的起點。這款酒所使用的「秋津穗」並非一般流通酒米，而是油長酒造與奈良縣內約三十戶契約農家共同種植的專屬米種；如今，奈良縣內的秋津穗幾乎只供應風之森，成為近乎風之森專用的珍貴米。

秉持「精米步合的高低並無優劣之分」的理念，風之森一直以米的能量感與味道的密度，來詮釋自家酒款的個性。這次以 70％ 精米重新詮釋秋津穗 657，是在米價高漲的大環境下進行的一次試驗性釀造，亦是向產地與米本身致敬的嘗試。得出的酒質，相比原本的 657 更具厚度與立體感，但仍保留該系列一貫的清澈輪廓。

杯中散發如洋梨、青蘋果般的清新果香，透明感與複雜度並存，米旨味更顯飽滿，卻依舊俐落收結。對熟悉風之森的飲者來說，這是一場「差 5％ 精米」所帶來的細微變奏；對初次接觸者而言，則是一扇看見風之森如何與土地、米種共生的入口

【製造者】油長酒造
【清酒等級】非公開
【內容量】720ml
【使用米】秋津穗
【精米步合】70%
【酒精度】~16度

【Kaze no Mori Experimental Brew】

Since Kaze no Mori was first released in 1998, Akitsuho 657 has been its defining flagship sake—the reference point for understanding the house style. The rice behind it, Akitsuho, is not a widely traded sake rice, but a variety grown exclusively through contract farming with about thirty partner farmers in Nara. Today, virtually all Akitsuho produced in the prefecture is destined for Yucho Shuzo, making it a uniquely “Kaze no Mori” rice.

Guided by the belief that a higher polishing ratio does not automatically mean “better” sake, Kaze no Mori focuses instead on expressing the energy of the land and the density of flavor. In this trial brew, Akitsuho 657 is reimagined at a 70% polishing ratio—partly in response to rising rice costs, but also as a deliberate attempt to highlight the grain’s character in a slightly less polished form. The result is a sake with more volume and depth on the palate, while still retaining the clarity and complexity that define Akitsuho 657.

Aromas evoke fresh pear and green apple, with a bright, lifted fruitiness supported by a layered, gently rich body. Transparency and complexity coexist, and the extra weight in texture adds warmth rather than heaviness. For long-time fans, this is a rare opportunity to compare how a 5% difference in polishing can shift nuance; for newcomers, it is a beautiful introduction to the dialogue between rice, place, and the Kaze no Mori philosophy.

【Producer】Yucho Shuzo
【Classification】Not disclosed
【Volume】720ml
【Rice used】Akitsuho
【Rice polishing ratio】70%
【Alcohol Level】~16%