SAKE HUNDRED is revolutionizing the world of Japanese sake. Among their select few black label releases (※SAKE HUNDRED's brand color is white, so they typically use white labels), a new addition has arrived: the limited edition "Rehi" (RAIHI). While its ¥165,000 (tax included) price tag means it's not for everyone, we highly recommend it if you have the means. This is an exceptionally rare sake that allows you to experience the taste of the future—a sake designed to be enjoyed decades from now—as if you've time-traveled.

(※) The first release was "Gengai." For details, see this article (https://openers.jp/lounge/lounge_features/1wLWm)

"Rehi" is an aged sake that has been stored in an ice-cold environment for 13 years, with the final three years spent aging in French oak barrels. Its brewing process also deviates from the norm; it employs a method similar to "Kijoshu," where sake is used as the final brewing water in a three-stage process. This halts fermentation midway, leaving residual sugars from the rice and resulting in a subtly sweet flavor.

What's truly astonishing is its exceptionally fragrant aroma. Enveloped in the scent of vanilla from the oak barrels, you're instantly transported to a world of opulence. Upon tasting, you'll discover an incredibly mellow texture derived from aging. There's not a single sharp edge!

An endlessly mellow, sweet, and smooth experience.

When I tried to find a comparable experience, I thought of the sweet wines from Bordeaux's Sauternes region. However, "Rehi" surpasses even Sauternes in its smoothness and richness. If we were to represent it on a five-pointed chart, it wouldn't be angular; it would be perfectly round. It possesses a fullness that fills every gap between its elements, yet it's never cloying. This is crucial!! It's not cloying. This was my first such experience, whether with sake or wine.

As Japanese sake ages, the sugars and amino acids within it undergo the Maillard reaction. This is also what gives it a brownish hue, much like the caramelized sugar on a crème brûlée. Consequently, while it gains depth, it can also become heavy and cloying.

However, with "Rehi," despite 13 years of aging, the Maillard reaction is remarkably subtle. The secret lies in its ice-cold aging. At temperatures around zero degrees Celsius, the aging process of Japanese sake slows down. This means it has been aged deliberately slowly—very, very slowly—over 13 years. This approach allows it to draw out the positive aspects of aging while avoiding the negative effects of the Maillard reaction.

The positive aspects of aging manifest as a mellow texture. The molecules that make up the flavor bond together, creating a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. This is a truly rare liquid: a delicate Japanese sake that retains its inherent delicacy while achieving a level of aging comparable to fine Bordeaux wines.

Yes, its rarity comes with a significant price tag: ¥165,000 per bottle. This is exceptionally high for Japanese sake, and for an ordinary person like myself, it's only attainable with a lottery win. However, this price reflects its rarity. Why? Because you simply cannot find anything else like it in the world today.

Recently, the concept of aging Japanese sake has gained attention, but 13 years ago, the idea of aging sake would have been met with disbelief. Furthermore, the concept of ice-cold aging was too unconventional to be accepted. Unlike wine, the optimal aging temperature for Japanese sake is much lower, a fact that has only recently been understood.

For 13 years, this sake has been preserved, unwavering against criticism. Considering its rarity, the pricing of "Rehi" is not unreasonable. Even in renowned wine regions like Bordeaux, aged vintages command higher prices. Given the unpredictability of life, the price should reflect the miracle of having navigated such risks.

Currently, aged Japanese sake is gaining recognition, and several breweries are producing sake specifically for aging. However, these bottles won't reach the market for quite some time. It's possible that future generations will be the ones saying, "Ah, aged Japanese sake is delicious. Thank you, seniors, for making it!"

Ugh. That would be too frustrating.

Therefore, this limited edition "Rehi" allows us to leap forward and experience firsthand the smooth, velvety taste of ice-cold aged sake that our future selves will undoubtedly enjoy in their rich sake lives. If you have the opportunity to experience this, I highly recommend doing so now.

Incidentally, the secret is that "Rehi" is sake that Nagai Shuzo (※ famous for its "Mizubasho" brand) in Gunma Prefecture had been preserving, believing in the value of ice-cold aging, and SAKE HUNDRED discovered it. The final touch of aging in oak barrels to enhance the aroma is reminiscent of Sauternes, showcasing the vision of an organization dedicated to revolutionizing Japanese sake production with a global perspective.

This sake transcends being merely a Japanese beverage; it has the potential to captivate connoisseurs worldwide as a post-meal digestif, much like Bordeaux's Sauternes or Portugal's Madeira.

The Japanese sake industry, once bound by convention, is now undergoing a revolution. We are living through this transformation, and this is a remarkable bottle that allows us to truly feel it.