noun
hiyaoroshi; autumn-released sake
A type of sake brewed in winter, pasteurized once, aged over summer, and released in autumn without a second pasteurization. It is a seasonal specialty with a mellow, rounded flavor.
今年の冷やおろしは、まろやかで飲みやすい。
This year's hiyaoroshi is mellow and easy to drink.
酒屋で秋限定の冷やおろしを買った。
I bought a bottle of autumn-only hiyaoroshi at the liquor store.
From 冷や (hiya, 'cold') + おろし (oroshi, 'unloading' or 'bringing down'), referring to the sake being brought out from storage after cooling down in autumn. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is firmly established in sake culture.