No. 6 New Year-Type Junmai Nama
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Best enjoyed fresh, typically within 1 to 3 months of its New Year release to experience its vibrant, unpasteurized effervescence.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
fresh oysters, sea bream sashimi, light vegetable tempura
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Aramasa's No. 6 New Year-Type (Shinnen Nama-zake) is a highly anticipated annual release celebrating the arrival of the New Year. Pressed on New Year's Day and shipped immediately, this unpasteurized (Nama) Junmai sake captures the ultimate expression of freshness and vitality. It is brewed using the brewery's legendary Kyokai No. 6 yeast—the oldest active sake yeast strain, isolated on-site in 1930—and crafted via the traditional Kimoto method in wooden casks. This special bottling represents a harmonious blend of Shinto spiritual tradition and avant-garde brewing, offering a delicate natural effervescence, bright lactic acidity, and a clean, mineral-driven finish.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1852 in Akita Prefecture, Japan, Aramasa Shuzo is a legendary brewery currently led by eighth-generation president Yusuke Sato, who has revolutionized the house with a focus on heritage and natural brewing. Aramasa is globally revered as the birthplace of Kyokai No. 6 yeast, the oldest active sake yeast strain distributed in Japan, which they use exclusively across their entire portfolio. Operating with a strict commitment to traditional methods, the brewery utilizes 100% Akita-grown rice, employs the labor-intensive kimoto starter method, and ferments its liquids in cedar wooden casks (kioke) without any additives. Their highly sought-after, low-alcohol, and beautifully acidic expressions—such as the iconic No. 6 series, Colors collection, and avant-garde releases like Invisible Pink Unicorn—have redefined modern sake, bridging the gap between traditional Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary fine wine aesthetics.