Kaze no Mori Alpha 9 “Kaze to Hi to no En”【風の森 Alpha 9 風と火との縁 樽熟成米焼酎仕込み】

The aroma is remarkably complex, combining vanilla notes derived from oak barrel aging with ripe banana-like fruit tones and the elegant Ginjo fragrance characteristic of premium sake. On the palate, Kaze no Mori's signature fine natural effervescence immediately emerges, accompanied by a texture that is smooth and refined, reminiscent of a well-aged whisky. A rich, layered sweetness gradually unfolds, building depth and complexity across the palate, before giving way to a clean and structured finish. The lingering aftertaste remains long, elegant, and deeply satisfying, balancing richness with remarkable finesse.

From the acclaimed Kaze no Mori series produced in Gose City, Nara Prefecture, comes the limited-edition ALPHA 9, subtitled "Kaze to Hi no En" ("The Bond Between Wind and Fire"). Brewed using Tsuyuhakaze rice grown in Mitsue Village, Nara Prefecture, the sake begins as a specially crafted Muroka Nama sake before being blended with "Hinotori," a rice shochu once produced by Yucho Shuzo. The result is a distinctive expression that bridges the worlds of sake and distilled spirits. Because a different vintage and maturation profile of Hinotori is selected each year, every release of ALPHA 9 is a unique, one-time-only experience that can never be exactly replicated.

The 2026 edition features a special Hinotori base spirit that has been matured for more than ten years in the brewery's oak barrel aging cellar. Combining the purity and elegance of sake with the depth and complexity of aged distilled spirits, this innovative release stands as one of Kaze no Mori's most creative and ambitious expressions, showcasing the brewery's ongoing pursuit of new possibilities in flavor and craftsmanship.

Product Name: Kaze no Mori Alpha 9 "Kaze to Hi no En"

Polishing Rate: Undisclosed

Rice Type: Tsuyuhakaze

Alcohol: 14% Vol

Brewery Prefecture: Nara, Yucho Shuzo Co., Ltd.