Japan

This sake presents a medium-bodied profile that begins with fruity notes and transitions to a dry finish. Aromas of pine and plantain lead into flavors of honeydew melon and white nectarine, culminating in a savory, mineral finish.

Region: Brooklyn, New York
Quality Grade: Junmai
Seimaibuai: 50%
Nihonshu-Do: +3
Rice: 100% Calrose (California-grown)
Alcohol: 17%

This high-end Kōchi-style Daiginjo is made just once a year in small batches, showcasing the brewery's dedication to craftsmanship. The rice is sourced from the Tojo region, considered one of the best for sake rice in Japan. After a slow fermentation process lasting 35 days at low temperatures, the sake is aged just below freezing for several months to achieve a soft texture and deep flavors while retaining bright, fresh, and citrus-like qualities.

This sake presents a fresh collection of aromas, including cherry, papaya, mango, cantaloupe, persimmon, simple syrup, and condensed milk. On the palate, it is light, balanced, bright, and refreshing, with flavors of Asian pear, green apple, grapefruit, cantaloupe, and lime, leading to a quick and dry mineral finish. ​

Region: Kōchi Prefecture​

Quality Grade: Junmai Daiginjo​

Seimaibuai: 30%​

Nihonshu-Do: +3​

Rice: Grade A Yamada Nishiki from Tojo​

Alcohol: 15%

This lightly cloudy nigori sake has a soft, creamy texture with flavors of steamed rice, nuts, and slightly tart fruit. It strikes a beautiful balance between richness and dryness, with a clean finish that keeps it refreshing and food-friendly. This nigori sake is notable for its higher milling rate, technically qualifying it as Junmai Ginjo grade - a rare quality level for a cloudy sake.

Region: Shimane Prefecture

Quality Grade: Tokubetsu Junmai

Seimaibuai: 59%

Nihonshu-Do: +3

Rice: Gohyakumangoku

Alcohol: 15.6%

Tasting Note: An aromatic and expressive Yamahai sake with notes of tart yogurt, mushroom, honey, banana, and steamed rice.

Region: Fukui Prefecture

Quality Grade: Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Muroka Genshu

Seimaibuai: 60%

Nihonshu-Do: +3.5

Rice: Gohyakumangoku

Alcohol: 16.5%

This Junmai sake from Banshu Ikkon is a beautifully lean structured sake, light bodied and linear, with the distinctive bright and spicy finish unique to brewmaster Yuichi Tsubosaka. While Kita Nishiki is a rice developed locally in Hyogo it is more characteristic of rice grown in the far north, with a firm grain that dissolves more slowly, producing sake of tight structure and clean flavors as opposed to the luscious rice types that made the area famous. It does retain a brightness of character unique to the region, and typical of all Banshu Ikkon sake.

Region: Hyogo

Grade: Junmai

Seimaibuai: 60%

Nihonshu-Do: +10

ABV: 15%

Rice: Kita Nishiki

In the northern part of Niigata Prefecture, there is a lagoon named “Fukushimagata”. Fukushimagata Lagoon is where the magnificent Gozu mountain range is reflected on the surface of the lake, and is renowned for its wintering swans. Among the top 100 most beautiful natural landmarks in Japan. 

Region: Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Quality Grade: Junmai

Seimaibuai: 65%

Nihonshu-Do: N/A

Rice: Takane-nishiki

Alcohol: 16%

Region: Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Quality Grade: Tokubetsu Honjozo

Seimaibuai: 60%

Nihonshu-Do: N/A

Rice: Yamada Nishiki

Alcohol: 16%

With the small amounts produced, the years of aging needed to produce each bottle and the centuries of experience crafting sake, Kikuhime has become one of the most renowned and sought after sake in the world, prized by chefs and restaurants for its nuanced pairings, and by collectors who enjoy the subtleties that develop over the years. 

BY or “Brew Year” references that unlike the extended aging for most Kikuhime this Daiginjo is released in the same year it was brewed to showcase its vibrancy. A complex, bold and dry sake. Has the fresh melon notes associated with highly polished sake, but contrasted by a big structure and chewy texture that broaden the flavor and make it exceedingly complex. Pairs beautifully with a broad range of food, excellent with simple preparations of white fish and vegetables but bold enough to pair with fatty tuna, pork and richer flavors.Can be consumed now to enjoy vibrant fruit or if aged will continue to develop earthy tones.

Region: Ishikawa Prefecture

Quality Grade: Daiginjo

Seimaibuai: 50%

Nihonshu-Do: N/A

Rice: Yamada Nishiki

Alcohol: 17.5%

The kimoto method relies on ambient organisms to build up the acidity of the starter (shubo) to a point that the yeast, to be used in fermentation, can flourish. While traditionally made by teams of workers working in tandem to grinding rice with poles, Kura has made their annual kimoto production a community event, as visitors to the brewery grind the rice themselves using sanitized rubber boots! Notes of oat, and brown spices. Peppery, velvety, medium body with a dry finish.
Pairs well with lighter dishes such as beet salad, caprese, and goat cheese. This is a Nama Chozo Sake which means it has undergone only one intial pasteurization and not the 'traditional' second allowing for a more robust flavourful sake experience.

Region: New York, USA

Quality Grade: Junmai 

Seimaibuai: Various

Nihonshu-Do: 0.0

Rice: Calrose

Alcohol: 17.4%

TASTING NOTES: Robust with flavors of lychee and pineapple, paired with the umami of roasted nuts and cashews, and complimented by the subtle sweet notes of caramel and sugarcane. This is a once-a-year release that bottles freshly pressed saké and is once-pasteurized in the bottle for bold flavors!

Region: Hyogo Prefecture

Quality Grade: Unspecified (technically Junmai) using Yamahai method

Seimaibuai: 68%

Rice: Gohyakumangoku

Alcohol: 18%

From one of the most famous and sought after Sake breweries in Japan!

TASTING NOTES: A soft sake with complex flavors of honeycomb, pear, cream, roasted almonds and nougat, softer aromas of pear blossom will emerge as the sake opens in the glass.

Region: Ishikawa Prefecture

Quality Grade: Junmai 

Seimaibuai: 65%

Nihonshu-Do: -4.0

Rice: Yamada Nishiki

Alcohol: 15.5%

TASTING NOTES: Slightly sweet scent with notes of vanilla followed by flavors of coconut, cream and spice, with a smooth and soft finish. Layered with mellow and round flavors. Nigori style is cloudy typically because it is infiltered.

Region: Aomori Prefecture

Quality Grade: Nigori

Seimaibuai: 75%

Nihonshu-Do: 

Rice: Masshigura

Alcohol: 14.5%

TASTING NOTES: Aromas of green melon rind and kaffir lime leaves. Creamy, luxurious mid palate with a spearmint-driven herbal finish.

Region: Yamaguchi

Quality Grade: Tokubetsu Junmai

Seimaibuai: 60%

Nihonshu-Do: +6.0

Rice: Yamada Nishiki & Hattan Nishiki

Alcohol: 15.5%

TASTING NOTES: Overall a light and delicate junmai ginjo; lower in aroma and fruit than many ginjos. Representative of the Hiroshima region which is known for soft water and crisp flavors.

Region: Hiroshima

Grade: Junmai Ginjo

Seimaibuai: 58%

Nihonshu-Do: +3.

Alcohol: 15%

Rice: Hattan Nishiki

TASTING NOTE: The epitome of purity, this sake is more subtle and nuanced than most highly aromatic Junmai Daiginjos. It is based on the ideals of Zen Buddhism and "wabi-sabi," the belief that beauty within the arts should be as understated and pure as a simple strand of pearls.  Aromas of white flower, Asian pear & steamed rice. Finishes elegantly with rich minerality and rice texture. Serve slightly chilled.

Region: Shimane

Grade: Junmai Daiginjo

Seimaibuai: 50%

Nihonshu-Do: +2

ABV: 15.5% 

Rice: Yamada Nishiki