Back In Stock – Kaze no Mori, Tenko 20, Chokkaisan, Momiji
This is a new and hopefully temporary section in the Newsletter. Basically because of COVID the supply chain for sake exporting experienced several hiccups this past year. As a direct result several sakes just vanished off of our radar, because they couldn’t get to us. They simply vanished and due in large part to the container supply issue we didn’t have them in our inventory for what seemed like ages. They were out of sight and out of mind, which hurts because they are killer brews. So for a limited time (again hopefully) we will have a section in the Newsletter to remind you that certain brews are back and ready for you to explore and enjoy once again.
Kaze no Mori “Wind in the Woods”
From Nara Prefecture. Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu SMV: +2.5 Acidity: 1.8
WARNING – Be Careful Opening This Sake! The nose on this magical brew is a unique collection of ricey, earthy, woody, banana, and pear aromas. This is “refreshing” sake at its best. Spritzy, lively, tingly, and fun it drinks like a mouth party but is incredibly well balanced for a brew that has so much going on. There are fruity hints of blueberry, grapes, pear, apple, and white raisins on a fluid that makes the flavors pop in the palate. A mid-sized glass controls all of the action the most and makes all of the lively flavors drink their brightest. We’ve been waiting a long time for this sake to be available and now it is, so get ready to get refreshed the sake way. WORD: Refreshing WINE: Beaujolais /Bright Whites BEER: Zesty Ales FOODS: Champagne fare, shellfish, American sushi, fruit salads. $32/720ml
From Akita Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: +2 Acidity: 1.5
The nose on this ultra Daiginjo is a sexy collection of strawberry, melon, pear, apple, and white blossom aromas. Say hello to a “Once in a lifetime” sake that should be on every sake drinker’s bucket list. Kodama Jozo brewery has taken AAA Yamadanishiki brewing rice milled to 20% (80% removal) to new and amazing levels. This is a very very velvety sake that is liquid luxury in a glass. It is beautiful and a work of art, but more importantly it is amazing tasting. Clean, round, and semi-viscous there are juicy flavors such as papaya, apple, mango, pear, and powdered sugar. It is very soft and very layered and defines “silky” sake. It is a great feeling sake and excels in a white wine glass. WORD: Luxurious WINE: Vintage Reds/Round Whites BEER: Gentle Ales FOODS: Champagne fare. $250/720ml
From Akita Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo SMV: +1 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this sake made with Miyaminishiki brewing rice and flower yeast is very floral with hints of gardenia, grape, blueberry, and pear. Round, soft and smooth this brew speaks the language of premium refined sake. Look for layers of gentle fruit elements such as strawberry, blueberry and concord grape, and take note of a layer of candy-like mild sweetness. Softer and sweeter in a smaller vessel; a larger glass brings forth more expressiveness especially in the finish. Think very soft, very smooth, and very drinkable. WORD: Floral WINE: Fruity reds and whites BEER: Fruity ales FOODS: Shellfish, oysters, cheese and fruit plates. $58/720ml
From Niigata Prefecture. Aged Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: +3 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this very unique three year-aged Junmai Daiginjo is a wonderful collection of earthy, forest floor, milk chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa powder aromas. Ok, it must be said, the bottle is awesome. What a beautifully packaged sake. And guess what? What’s inside the bottle is just as beautiful. This is not your ordinary aged Daiginjo sake, and it is an amazing celebration of the local Niigata Prefecture’s rice varietal called Koshi Tanrei milled to 50%. Who doesn’t like fascinating sake that just happens to also be delicious? This is no chunky oxidized aged brew that drinks flabby and bulky. It actually drinks very light and layered with a rich complexity that is baffling. How can it be so rich, but also so clean and flavorful? It is a very expressive aged brew with lots of chocolate and cocoa aromas. Look for chocolate truffle, hot cocoa, brownie, chocolate nibs, and other rich earthy flavors that drink dry and with a mineral tail. When warmed just think of smooth warm cocoa and how cool is that? This is a perfect gifting sake to big red wine drinkers, and foodies who would like to pair this brew with complex fall flavors and big seasonal dinners. WORD: Complex WINE: Deep Reds/Rich Whites BEER: Chocolate Stouts FOODS: Complex fare with mushroom based sauces, smoked meats and fowl. $104/720ml