Chikurin Fukamari Junmai "Deep Field" 2025

The nose on this very specially made Junmai is a wonderful collection of steamed rice, milk chocolate, nectarine, marshmallow, nougat, broth, mushroom, wood, and ocean foam aromas. Welcome home Marumoto san, one of the coolest owner/brewers in the sake business who has been a HUGE believer in organically grown rice (he grows his own), and the International sake market. He is so good for sake, and his sake is so good too. This Junmai is made using a blending system that he developed, “solera-like aging”, that takes this year’s sake and blends it with 3 to 8 year old vintages to create a blend that tastes great to him. Why does he do it? Basically, he loves sake and loves depth in sake, and the result is a round, soft, and smooth brew, with a medium-body, and a very dry astringent finish that is called quick or “kire”, but some say minty! Look for really unique and “wine-lover flavors” such as nectarine, persimmon, apricot, milk, sea salt, toasted rice, sarsaparilla, and uni flavors that are joined by a very direct umami push. This is a three temperature brew that is cool sake for cool people. WORD: Depth WINE: Big Reds/Acidic Whites BEER: Crisp Belgians FOODS: Akami (red) sashimi, nut and cheese boards, roasted meats, yakitori, burgers, and roast beef sandwiches.