Unlike the full-bodied "Omachi" or the elegant "Yamada Nishiki" rice varieties typically favored for Kanjiku’s standard lineup, "Seikai" (Star Sea) was conceived from the outset with a distinct summer-oriented profile. The brewery specifically selected "Suisei"—a premium sake rice sourced entirely from Hokkaido—polished down to 50% to achieve the *Junmai Daiginjo* grade.
In the world of sake, the "Suisei" variety is renowned for its crisp, clean, and refined structure. Kanjiku skillfully leverages these clean lines as the flavor foundation for the entire brew. While "Seikai" retains Kanjiku’s signature style—characterized by a luscious, juicy sweetness—it concludes with a refreshing, airy finish reminiscent of a summer night’s sea breeze, perfectly capturing the essence of a seasonal summer release.
Upon their first taste, many are captivated by the natural, effervescent tingle that dances across the tongue. This unique, crisp sensation stems from the brewery’s near-obsessive commitment to freshness through a pressing technique known as *Jikagumi* (direct bottling).
In conventional sake production, once fermentation is complete, the liquid is typically transferred into large storage tanks before bottling. In contrast, Kanjiku’s brewers bottle the sake by hand the moment it emerges from the press. This method traps the trace amounts of carbon dioxide—naturally generated during fermentation—inside the bottle. The resulting natural effervescence acts like a sophisticated, adult-oriented fruit soda; it perfectly balances the sake’s sweetness, offering an unparalleled sense of refreshment that cuts through richness and provides relief from the summer heat.
"Seikai" continues to evolve with each passing year. The latest 2026 edition introduces a bold shift in the filtration process—one sure to excite seasoned enthusiasts—by intentionally retaining a subtle, hazy element known as *nigori* (cloudiness). Through precisely controlled filtration, a minute, delicate trace of active *sake* lees (*kasu*) is retained in the liquid, imbuing the contents of the bottle with a dreamlike, hazy, sunset-hued appearance. This bold brewing innovation—achieved while maintaining an approachable, easy-drinking 14% alcohol content—infuses this year’s "Star Sea" (*Xinghai*) with an unprecedented, vibrant explosion of fruity aromatics. The presence of these fine lees lends the sake a rounder, fuller texture on the palate, evoking the sensation of sipping a fresh, succulent nectar pressed from perfectly ripened white peaches and green apples—rich, juicy, and brimming with luscious, fruit-fleshed character.