Takasago Ginga Shizuku Divine Droplets (720ML) $63.99 - Junmai-Daiginjo Sake by Takasago from Hokkaido, Japan. A prominent fragrance, a clean and fresh taste, with flavor deep into the recesses. Truly one of the Rolls-Royces of sake. Each year, after the temperature drops below 14 Fahrenheit, Takasago builds an Ice Dome outside the main kura building. It is an igloo inside of which the temperature stays about 28 F, with 90% humidity and no wind The low temperature means nasty bacteria cannot survive, allowing them to make clean, pure, ultra-premium sake. Additionally, they separate the clear sake from the fermenting rice lees not by pressing, but rather by putting it into canvas bags and allowing the sake to drip out slowly overnight. | Ama no To To Heavens Door (720ML) $32.99 - Junmai Sake
by Ama no To from Akita, Japan. Faint aromas of raisins and earthiness. Overall slightly dry flavor but with nice fruity essences in the recesses, supplanted by nice rice-like tones and a gentle sweetness beneath. They have won five straight Gold Prizes in the prestigious National New Sake tasting competitions. The water which flows up from the springs here has been famous since the Edo era (1600-1868). | Mantensei Star-Filled Sky (300ML) $18.29 - Junmai Sake by Mantensei from Tottori, Japan. Soft, honey-laced nose with just a tad of fruitiness. Dry overall, but with a sweet element creeping out of the background. Good richness and overall balance in a slightly dry profile. The Tottori Prefecture where Mantensei is located is one of the least populated regions of Japan - mountains, oceans and wooded areas vie for space with people in the minority. The clean air and the cold winters make it ideal for sake brewing. | Rihaku Wandering Poet (720ML) $33.99 - Junmai-Ginjo Sake
by Rihaku from Shimane, Japan. Brewed carefully and slowly at low temperatures using traditional brewing techniques and Yamada Nishiki rice polished to 55%. Characterized by a well-rounded flavor with a solidness to the flavor and fragrance, and a clean finish. Rihaku was named for a famous poet in China who lived from 701-762 and was famous for drinking a lot before writing. He was known to have said, I drink a bottle, and can write 100 poems. |
Mukune Root of Innocence (300ML) $19.49 - Junmai-Ginjo Sake by Mukune from Osaka, Japan. Mellow and dry profile in which the flavor and the finish meld together, with plenty of the richness of the rice evident. Yasutaka Daimon is the sixth-generation director of the family brewery. His kura (sake brewery) is blessed with a natural spring providing water which is rich in minerals and pure enough to be used in the production of excellent sake | Tozai Snow Maiden (300ML)$10.29 - Junmai Sake by Tozai from Kyoto, Japan. This is fairly thick and chewy nigorizake (cloudy sake), but it is still surprisingly dry. The aromas are bright and fresh and they show a lovely ricey and fruity combination. In the mouth, this sake has solid weight and gives the same flavors of fresh fruit and creamy fresh rice that your nose told you about. The finish has a pleasant astringency and is nicely mellow, beckoning you for another mouthful. You will rarely taste a classier Nigori at this price, and this may be the ultimate food-friendly Nigori. About Snow Maiden The image on the label is a koi, or Japanese carp. Ornamental domesticated carp have been bred for their bright colors for centuries in Japan. Perhaps the most famous koi is one named Hanako which reportedly lived for 226 years! Hanako translates to Flower Maiden, but in homage to the long-lived Hanako which lived in the icy waters at the foot of Japan's Mt. Ontake, we have named this sake Snow Maiden. | Kanbara Bride of Fox (300ML) $16.79 - Junmai Sake by Kanbara from Niigata, Japan. Intense aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio and a hint of warm liquid cocoa. In the mouth, the flavors follow through with nuts and melon as it heads for a crisp finish, and then just a hint of lingering sweetness. It is at once savory and sweet, and has enough power to make it a great match with a wide variety of food pairings. A truly distinctive sake. The name of this wonderful sake was inspired by local legends about mysterious lights that appeared on nearby Mt. Kirin in the distant past. Locals claim the lights are paper lanterns carried in the fox-bride procession. This mysterious event is celebrated in Niigata every year in the fox-bride festival. Kaetsu uses rice grown on the high plains and pure mountain water to brew superior sake, both rich in aroma and clean in taste. | Tozai Well of Wisdom (720ML)$23.99 - Junmai Sake by Tozai from Osaka, Japan. Crafted with pure, natural spring water from this family brewery nestled at the base of Osaka's scenic Ikoma mountains. Aromas of peach and powdered sugar. On the palate, the flavors head toward apricot, peach skin, and a touch of anise. This medium bodied sake presents a unique combination of a dry, crisp sake that also has amazing complexity of flavor. Great balance too. |