{"product_id":"houou-biden-miumari-fly-high-cloudy-sake","title":"Houou Biden \"Mikumari\" Fly High Cloudy","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eKobayashi Shuzo was established in 1872 along the historic road leading to Nikko's sacred mountain range in Tochigi Prefecture, in a village then known as Mitamura — \"Beautiful Fields\" — for its sweeping rice paddies and abundant pure groundwater drawn from the Nikko mountains. The brewery underwent a profound renaissance in 1995 when fifth-generation owner Masaki Kobayashi returned to lead the family business alongside his wife Mayumi, who assumed the role of Toji — one of an exceptionally small number of female master brewers in Japan. Under Mayumi's leadership, the brewery embraced deeply traditional methods: rice is still steamed in an enormous cast iron cauldron over direct fire, koji is made entirely by hand, and drip-press filtration relies on gravity alone. The brand name Houou Biden reflects the brewery's spirit — \"Houou\" meaning the mythical phoenix, \"Biden\" honoring those beautiful fields of its birthplace.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eMikumari takes its name from the Shinto deity who governs water sources and the distribution of flowing water — an apt tribute, as the sake is brewed using sacred spring water drawn exclusively from the historic shrines and temples of Nikko, a source entrusted to Kobayashi Shuzo alone. Brewed to Junmai Daiginjo grade from Yumesasara rice polished to 50% and fermented with the brewery's proprietary house yeast, Mikumari is a nigori unlike most — bottled close to its naturally pressed state through careful single-bottle pasteurization, it arrives silky and delicately cloudy rather than heavy or sweet. The nose carries soft muscat, green apple, and citrus, while the palate offers a clear, clean entry with gentle Japanese-style sweetness, bright grapefruit acidity, and savory umami that builds gracefully before finishing crisp and refreshing. A premium and elegant nigori that sets a new standard for the style.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e720ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Taylor's Wine Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48116673872093,"sku":null,"price":43.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/5318\/files\/K01N009011_20240318082522.png?v=1783019631","url":"https:\/\/taylorswineshop.com\/products\/houou-biden-miumari-fly-high-cloudy-sake","provider":"Taylor's Wine Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}