Ohmine “Winter’s Arrival” Cloudy

Winter has officially arrived — and in Mine City, Yamaguchi, it arrives in a snow-white bottle. Ohmine is one of the most talked-about young breweries in Japan: dormant for over 50 years, it was revived in 2010 by Tsuyoshi Akiyama, a Mine native with years of business experience abroad, with a simple goal — to build an industry around the land and its people. The brewery draws its water from the Beppu Benten spring, a mineral-rich source that gives Ohmine its clean, pure character, and every bottle is a junmai genshu brewed with a fermentation-control technique that keeps the alcohol low (around 14%) while leaving the sake undiluted. Even the minimalist ceramic-white bottle was designed with help from Stockholm Design Lab.

“Winter’s Arrival” is Ohmine’s seasonal release — an unpasteurized (nama), lightly cloudy sake bottled when the cold sets in. Think of it as a gentle usu-nigori: soft rice sediment suspended in a lively, juicy base, with a touch of natural effervescence still tickling the tongue from its fresh, unpasteurized state.

Tasting notes: Melon, muscat, and green apple with a creamy, almost yogurt-like softness → moderate acidity, a little sparkle, and a clean, fruity finish

Pairs beautifully with: Soft and fresh cheeses, light appetizers, or simply on its own, well-chilled

Note: As an unpasteurized nama sake, Winter’s Arrival should be kept refrigerated and enjoyed soon after opening. It’s lively — open the cap slowly over the sink, and give the bottle a gentle swirl if you want the cloudier, creamier pour.