New Store Arrivals – A Gentle Giant, A Killer Koshu, & Warm Cherry Pie
From Fukui Prefecture. Tokubetsu Yamahai Junmai Muroka Genshu.
SMV: 3.5 Acidity: N/A
The nose on this special sake is an immense collection of earthy, musky, hoppy, burnt rice, and lemon peel aromas. Say hello to one of “Those” sakes! This brew is so flavorful and so unique that it is a must for the sake adventurers who are looking for great sakes cut from a different cloth! I call this brew a gentle giant, because it has all of that and is still very drinkable and delicious. Thick, smooth, beefy but not bulky! Velvety, round, and creamy, it is very savory with yeasty and creamy elements that scream deep impact. There are rich components all over the place and amongst the roasted rice and forest floor flavors, look for hidden deep rich flavors of pancakes with burnt butter and maple syrup. It is bottled from one single glorious tank of fermented sake. Enjoy this True Vision. WORD: Gentle Giant WINE: Huge Complex Reds/Earthy Whites BEER: Stouts FOODS: Hit that meat, fowl, and game! Large pasta dishes. fare, fruits, cheese plates. $39/720ml
Kanbara Aged 10+ Years “Ancient Treasures”
From Niigata Prefecture. Yamahai Junmai Genshu Koshu
SMV: NA Acidity: NA
The nose on this very important Yamahai Koshu is an amazing collection of toffee, candied nuts, honey, lemon, and Heath Bar aromas. This is a sake drinker’s koshu as it is an aged sake that has a very unique flavor profile. It surely looks the part of an aged sake with that amazing golden color. Add to that the fact that it is a genshu and a yamahai sake then you know things are funky in a good way. Look for amazing flavors such as sour apple, tart orange, smoked sea mins, cocoa, and hot honey lemon tea and you know that your are in the Koshu Twilight Zone. Made with Yamadanishiki and Koshi Tanrei this brew boast an alc. content of 17.2%, and drinks with different flavors at different temperature points. Chilled brings more tanginess, and room temperature brings forth the rich ricey and sweeter flavors. There are many treasures hiding within. WORD: Adventure WINE: Deep Reds/ Sharp whites BEER: Crisp ales FOODS: Meats, game, fowl, goose liver, duck pâté. $89/720ml
Rokkasen “Godanjikomi”
From Yamagata Prefecture. Junmai. SMV: -12 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this world class warming sake is a collection of plum, white grape, veggie, and steamed rice aromas. Say hello to the newest “best” sake at True Sake. This full-bodied, round, smooth, chewy and velvety sake is now the best warming sake in the store. But before we talk warming let’s talk about the chilled version with hints of ripe plums, cherries, ripe pear, anise, and honey which is perfect to take with you for Dim Sum or most Chinese fare. Why? It’s a sweet sake that is not cloying sweet, but rather rich sweet with layers of flavors that bring a smile to the palate. But when warmed this sake only gets better, and if you like the flavor of warm cherry pie then this rice and water sake is for you! One of the best feeling sakes in the business. WORD: Warm Cherry Pie WINE: Pinot Noir/Fat whites BEER: Fat Belgian Ales FOODS:Chinese Fare, International spice, pâtés, game, fowl. $26/720ml