102 SHINANO SWEET

Apple brandy made with Shinano Sweet from Kamonohara Orchard in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. At this orchard, apples are grown without pesticides, using only Bordeaux mixture with lime. Last year, the long rains from the rainy season through to summer caused the leaves to fall, which meant the sugar content did not increase and the apples became smaller, so we were given some to use for brewing.

Although it may not look good, it has a good balance of sweetness and sourness and is delicious.

Following their cultivation methods, we decided to use only natural yeast for brewing, without adding any secondary ingredients. After about a week, the fermentation started to progress slowly, and we filled the tanks with only CO2 to prevent oxidation.

Distilled after an extended fermentation period.

It has an intriguing deep aroma reminiscent of apple tart and a dry flavor, so we decided to produce a small amount as a single variety without blending.

Product: Brandy
Contents: 100ml/500ml
Ingredients: Apples (Shinano Sweet) (Yamaguchi Prefecture), water (Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture)
Alcohol content: 42%

Artwork by Jason Logan

This apple brandy is made from Shinano-sweet apples from Kamonohara Orchards in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. This orchard grows apples without pesticides, using only lime Bordeaux solution. Last year, due to the long rainy season and summer, the leaves fell off and the sugar content did not increase and the flesh became smaller, so we asked them to share their apples for brewing.

Even though they did not look good, they were delicious with a good balance of sweetness and sourness.

I decided to follow their cultivation method and brew with only natural yeast and no additional ingredients. After a week or so, slow fermentation begins, and the tank is filled only with CO2 to prevent oxidation and to keep an eye on it.

After a longer fermentation period, distillation takes place.

It has an interesting deep aroma and dry taste like apple tart, so we decided to use a small amount as a single product instead of blending it.

Brand: Brandy
Contents: 100ml / 500ml
Ingredients: Apples (Shinano Sweet) (from Yamaguchi Prefecture), Water (from Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture)
Alcohol content: 42%.

Artwork by Jason Logan