New Store Arrivals – It’s Hiyaoroshi Season At Last!
Hello! You can feel it in the air can’t you? It’s fall! Autumn or whatever you prefer, but it is the season for a certain group of sakes that also refered to as Nama-zume or sakes that have been pasteurized only once. But why? Good question and I will answer it by saying to achieve two things 1) to create a rich flavor that appeals to your autumn yellow leaf senses and 2) to create a feeling that appeals to your fall flavored food pairing connections. Hiyaoroshi sakes are crafted to pair with fall flavors period. It’s like a food and sake connection, and it’s real! Real delicious. We have 4 fall draft sakes in store now with many more coming soon! Herewith are the current offerings.
Masumi Hiyaoroshi 2018 "Sleeping Beauty"
From Nagano Prefecture.
Junmai Ginjo Namazume.
SMV: 3.5 Acidity: N/A
The nose on this specially released seasonal draft sake is a gentle collection of cinnamon, cream, roasted rice, earthy, and nutty aromas. Hiyaoroshi sake were made to be stored for a brief time to achieve a certain flavor point that goes well with fall cuisine flavors, which tend to be rich and savory. Round, smooth, clean this once pasteurized brew is very user-friendly that has a lightness to go with its richness. There is a Ginjo feeling that has hints of flan and is very slippery. Look for hints of sweet rice, caramel, crème brûlée, and a gentle creaminess that opens up as the sake warms in the glass. WORD: Clean WINE: Merlot/Soft whites BEER:Belgian Ales FOODS: Fall rich flavors from the grill and sauce pot. $42/720ml
From Fukui Prefecture. Junmai Genshu Namazume. SMV: -12 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this fall draft sake that has been pasteurized once has a unique collection of mint, banana bread, and steamed custard aromas. Talk about a full-bodied and weighty Hiyaoroshi sake. This brew drinks plump, smooth, and really coats the palate. It is rich and juicy with a little sweetness that is more rich than bright. It drinks very relaxed and fat, which makes for a great food pairing coating partner. Look for banana bread, nougat, honeycomb cereal, and the white inside of an Oreo cookie flavors. As the fluid warms it achieves an even heavier state of pure deliciousness. WORD: Full-Bodied WINE: Deep Cabs/Fat Whites BEER: Big Belgian Ales FOODS: Flavors of the Fall from fatty and saucy to gamey and meaty. $26/720ml
Shichida Omachi Hiyaoroshi 2018
From Saga Prefecture. Junmai Namazume
SMV: +2.7 Acidity: 1.8
The nose on this sake that is made in the winter, but released in the fall is a vivid collection of nougat, cream, marshmallow, canned corn, and cinnamon aromas. This is a very expressive and wide “Hiyaoroshi” sake that sings Autumn with rich rice and nougat flavors that pair so well with fall foods. Rich, savory, and alive there is a lot of umami in each layered sip. Look out for hints of cream, nougat, candy corn, cereal, caramel, and a hint of cinnamon. As Mei said, “It drinks like fall pies.” The strength of the brew is it’s bold richness (Omachi rice milled to 75%) on a fluid that expands in the palate. A mid size glass brings out the most flavor, and as the fluid warms the richness increases. WORD: Rich WINE: Deep Reds/Rich Whites BEER: Large Belgian Ales FOODS: Rich fall cuisines, meats, game, fowl, fatty fish. $40/720ml
Oze no Yukidoke Hiyaoroshi 2018 
From Gunma Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo Namazume. SMV: +1 Acidity: 1.5
The nose on this Junmai Daiginjo Fall Draft sake is a gentle collection of steamed rice, plums, honey, and butter aromas. There aren’t many Daiginjo Hiyaoroshi sakes out there so it’s a good idea to try this very nice brew that is velvety, creamy, and layered. It drinks relaxed, but there is a freshness that lifts up the hints of mangos, honeydew, and cooked pair flavors. There are elements of tangy citrus and crisp cherry notes that float on the wide and juicy fluid that is smooth and very comfortable in the palate. A mid-sized glass enhances the drinking experience and if you dig deep enough look for a rich layer of raisins. A super cool fall draft that is as premium as Hiyaoroshi sake can get! WORD: Velvety WINE: Pinot Noir/Chewy Whites BEER: Honey Ales FOODS: Seasonally fresh fall flavors, especially fatty fish of colder waters. $35/720ml