Koeigiku Lake of Happiness Lucas Felicitatis Taru Jukusei【光栄菊 幸福の湖 Lucas Felicitatis 樽熟成】

The base sake is the first-year brew of the pasteurized 2020 “Tsukikage Yuzan Nishiki,” selected for its strength to withstand the dark-grape character of Madeira casks. After approximately three years of ice-temperature aging—one and a half years spent in Madeira barrels—it was blended to add sweetness and complexity with three additional sakes from 2021 and 2022, including a lightly cloudy sake. The pale golden, slightly reddish liquid is lightly veiled with fine lees, releasing distinctive barrel aromas reminiscent of buttered toast with orange marmalade, weaving together a deep, multilayered flavor profile.

Guided by the philosophy of “creating an unprecedented new world of sake,” Koueigiku finally unveils its highly anticipated barrel-aged series. This release features three special expressions crafted using three exceptionally rare types of barrels.

The inspiration for Koueigiku’s toji came from the exquisite pairing of sweet wines and cheese, with the aim of recreating this enchanting harmony within the world of sake. Through repeated trials and precise experimentation, this “barrel-aged series” was ultimately brought to life.

This is not simply barrel aging; the brewery carefully designs the sake profile for each barrel type, meticulously controlling maturation time to capture each at its optimal moment.

Each of the three barrels has its own distinct character: Madeira barrels from Portugal impart lush, sweet aromas reminiscent of mature dried fruits with a hint of caramel-like bitterness and a long finish; Pedro Ximénez barrels from Spain’s intensely sweet PX sherry contribute deep brown-sugar richness with raisin and prune sweetness, creating a luxurious dessert-wine-like expression; Oloroso barrels, used for Spain’s dry sherry, offer memorable aromas of roasted nuts, honey, and vanilla, with satisfying weight and a clean finish that preserves a clear structure amid the sweetness. All three barrels are rare casks that cannot be sourced again under the same conditions, making this barrel-aged sake a true limited release—a “special encounter that exists only in this moment.”

Product Name：Koeigiku Lake of Happiness Lucas Felicitatis Taru Jukusei

Grade：Junmai

Polishing Rate：Not Disclosed

Rice Type：Domestic Rice

Alcohol：15%Vol

Brewery Prefecture：Saga Koueigiku Shuzo