Brand name] Hirotogawa Special Junmai
Sake Brewer] Matsuzaki Shuzo Co.
Kind of sake】Special Junmai Sake
Rice used: Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] 55
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Inoguchi
Aroma】+1.5（Aroma of green apple, white peach and rice)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Medium. The acidity and umami of the rice remain mildly lingering, and it wears off quickly.
Impression: Neat, light, medium-dry.
The aroma is gentle but fruity with a hint of ginjo.
The soft acidity and moderate sweetness typical of Fukushima Prefecture are in perfect harmony, and the drinking experience is very smooth.
It is not flashy, but has a high degree of perfection and is stable both cold and at room temperature.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand Name] Sawaya Matsumoto, Moriboshi Gohyakumangoku
Sake Brewer] Matsumoto Shuzo Co.
Type of Sake] Japanese sake
Rice] 100% Gohyakumangoku
Rice polishing ratio] Undisclosed
Alcohol content] 15
Sake Cup】Inoguchi
Aroma】+1.5（green apple, pear, rummy)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Flavor
Body: 1.5
Acid: 2.0 (lactic and malic acid)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering] Short but clean acidity remains, and it is refreshingly sharp.
Impression: Modern, light and dry.
The aroma is fresh and fruity, with green apples.
The taste is clean and refreshing, with beautiful acidity and a moderate sweetness. It has a cool, slightly effervescent taste, and its clearness with little cloying taste is combined with umami and bitterness. It goes well with meals.
Repeat Score] 2.5
Brand name】Instrument Masamune Junjo
Sake Brewer] Oki Daikichi Honten (Yabuki-cho, Nishi-Shirakawa-gun, Fukushima Prefecture)
Junmai-shu (unfiltered and unpasteurized)
Rice] Koji rice: Domestic rice (Polishing ratio 60%), Kake rice: Domestic rice (Polishing ratio 66%)
Alcohol content】13度
Sake cup】Wine glass
Aroma】+2.0（green apple, muscatel, pear, rumney)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.5 (malic acid + citric acid type, light)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.0
Bitterness: 1.0
Lingering] Clean and short. Fruit acidity lightly fades away, leaving a slight minerality.
Impression] Sleek, gorgeous, fruity, medium sweet.
This is a Hall of Fame instrumental Masamune. This time, it is a low-alcohol design at 13 degrees. The aroma of Muscat, pear, and green apple, typical of Musical Instruments, dances gorgeously. The taste is fruity with a medium sweetness that does not contradict the aroma. The balance between acidity and dryness is exquisite and refreshing. It is a devilish sake that is light but has low alcohol + moderate sweetness, and can be enjoyed forever on its own.
Pairing] Caprese with fruit is a perfect match, but it can be paired with a wide range of other refreshing dishes.
Repeat Score] 2.5
Brand name] ABE AKADA 2024
Sake Brewer] ABE SHUZOH CO.
Kind of sake] Junmai-shu (hi-iru)
Rice] 100% rice grown in Akada, Kariwa Village, Niigata Prefecture (grown by contract farmer Mr. Mizuhina)
Polishing ratio] 80
Yeast] Undisclosed
Alcohol content】13°.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+1.5（green apple, rumney, cooked rice, nuts)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0 (lactic acidity mainly)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium. A slight sourness like plum wine lingers.
Impression】Modern low-alcohol dry taste.
Abeno Terroir series. We corked the bottle at the same time to compare it with Noda. The aroma is green apple and rummy, but the 80% polished rice aroma is present. The taste is light, but the rounded acidity of lactic acid tightens the taste and gives it a plum-like world view. As the temperature rises, the harmony of sweetness and bitterness stands out.
Pairing] Grilled fish, grilled chicken with salted malt, simmered root vegetables, maitake mushroom tempura, etc.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand name] ABE Noda 2024
Sake Brewer] ABE SHUZOH CO.
Kind of sake】 Japanese sake
Rice used: 100% Koshitanrei (produced in Noda, Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture)
Rice Polishing Ratio] Undisclosed
Alcohol content】13度
Birth date] May, 2025
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma] +2.0 (Ramune, green apple, yogurt, melon)
Appearance] Slightly greenish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acid: 2.5 (lactic acid + citric acid type, fresh and sharp)
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.0
Lingering: Light and short. The freshness of the acidity remains, and the finish is cool and refreshing.
Impression: Natural modern low-alcohol Junmai.
Abeno Terroir Series.
Reflecting the cool basin climate of the Noda district in Kashiwazaki, it is characterized by mild sweetness and supple acidity. The aroma is between fruity and lactic acid, with an impressive transparency like green apple and ramune. The mouthfeel is soft and lightly carbonated, and even at a low alcohol of 13%, the wine is very drinkable.
Pairing] Caprese, shio koji chicken, sasamimi with ume plum paste, cold pasta, etc.
Repeat Score] 2.5
Brand Name] KOEIKU Gekkaburai
Sake Brewer] Koeikiku Shuzo Co.
Kome-no-o 100% (domestic)
Rice used: 100% Kame-no-o (domestic)
Rice Polishing Ratio] Undisclosed (estimated to be around 60%)
Alcohol content】17度
Production Date] February, 2023
Sake Cup】Wine glass
Aroma】+2.0（Muscat, pear, green apple, yogurt, slight white flower)
Appearance] Pale greenish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.5 (lactic acid + citric acid-like, fresh)
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium
Impression: Modern, mellow, fresh
The aroma is a powerful fruit aroma typical of nama-shu, and the fragrance also suggests the richness of the sake. The taste has a natural lactic acidity typical of Koei Kiku, and although it is sweet, the slightly fizzy and fruity aroma is exquisite.
It is delicious chilled, but also quite interesting when heated. The rich acidity and umami spread out, and the gentle sweetness soothes the body after a long day.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand Name] KURAKURAKU Junmai-shu
Sake Brewer] MIYAZUMI MEIJO K.K. (Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Junmai-shu
Rice] Domestic rice (details undisclosed)
Rice polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol content】16度
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（green apple, pear, muscat, white peach, ethyl acetate)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0 (soft and elegant)
Sweetness: 2.0 (fruity sweetness)
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium. A pleasant sweetness remains.
Impression] Gorgeous, mellow, modern, medium-bodied.
I have already had this many times, but I keep asking for more.
The aroma is a fruit aroma with no hint of artificiality, and even though it is sake, the fragrance alone is enchanting. The taste is beautifully Fukushima-like, but with a slightly full sweetness, and the acidity is not sharp, but rather accompanies the taste. It is not heavy, but well-balanced and loved by everyone.
Repeat Score] 3.0
Brand name] Houken Junmai Super Dry, Spring-fed
Sake Brewer】Hoken Shuzo K.K. (Nigata Honmachi, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
Type of sake ] Junmai-shu
Rice】100% Hachitan-Nishiki produced in Hiroshima Prefecture
Rice polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol content】16度
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+1.0（Shirotama dumpling, mild rice aroma, citrus peel)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 2.0
Aftertaste: Sharply dry and sharp, with a hint of bitterness and umami that quickly fades away.
Impression: Classical, light and ultra-dry.
The aroma is reminiscent of rice and citrus fruits with a hint of bitterness.
As the name suggests, the taste is designed to be super dry, with beautiful acidity and a refreshing freshness. It has a sharp and light sake quality typical of Hachitan-Nishiki. The taste is subdued when served cold, but the umami will increase as the temperature rises. It has a classical taste and is useful as a food sake.
Pairing: Salt grilled white fish, fried oysters, tempura, chilled tofu. It has the power to easily wash away oily food.
Repeat Score] 2.0
KID Junmai Ginjo Hiyahoroshi
KID Junmai Ginjyo Hiyoroshi (Hiyoroshi)
Type of Sake: Junmai Ginjo
Rice used: 100% Gohyakumangoku
Rice polishing ratio: 50% for koji rice, 55% for kake rice
Alcohol content】15度
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+1.5（green apple, pear, white dumpling)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium.
Impression: Modern, light and dry with mellowness.
The aroma is fresh with a green apple flavor. The taste is fruity and dry with a sugar content, and the lingering aftertaste is alcoholic.
It has a calmness that is typical of autumn hiyaoroshi, with both lightness and depth. It is a bottle that goes well with moist autumn dishes.
Pairing】Pairs well with dishes with autumnal flavors, such as grilled swordfish and cooked rice with mushrooms.
Repeat Score] 2.0
OCEAN99 "toumi" Arrival
Sake Brewer] KANGIKU MEIJO (Yamatake City, Chiba Prefecture)
Type of Sake】Junmai Ginjyo (Unfiltered, once-brewed sake)
Rice used: Rice suited for sake brewing
Rice polishing ratio] 55
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（Nuance of green apple, muscat, white peach)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0 (refreshing and citric)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Clean. Gentle sweetness and bitterness remain.
Impression: Fresh and fruity, modern, light and dry.
The aroma is discreet but has a yeasty, gorgeous fruity aroma. The taste is crisp and clear with just the right amount of sweetness. Modern but not overdone, it can be easily drunk on its own.
Pairing] Caprese with tomatoes and fruits goes very well with this wine.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand Name] Kirinzan Yukinoshita Junmai Ginjo
Sake Brewer] Kirinzan Shuzo Co.
Type of Sake] Junmai Ginjo
Rice used: 100% Koshitanrei produced in Oku-Aga, Niigata Prefecture.
Rice Polishing Ratio] 50% [Alcohol Content] 15
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（steamed rice, cream, white chocolate, green apple)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acid: 2.0 lactic acid and other swellings
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium. The acidity and umami gently fade away, leaving a mild finish.
Impression: Elegant, light and umami.
The aroma is of steamed rice and dairy products, which gives the impression of Niigata's light and dry taste. The ginjo aroma is mild. In the mouth, it has a surprisingly strong body that one would not expect from the alcohol content. There are some spreading sweetness and chocolate nuances, which may be the difference between this and Ihyakumangoku.
In conclusion, this is a food sake type that combines the clarity typical of Niigata with the fullness derived from Koshitanrei, and has a classical sense of security and a modern sense of transparency.
Pairing] Japanese cuisine with dashi broth in general, grilled white fish with salt, tempura, cold tofu, lightly seasoned simmered dishes, etc.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Suminoe Shuzo, a special junmai
Sake Brewer] Suminoe Shuzo Co.
Type of Sake】Special Junmai Sake
Type of rice used: Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol content】16%.
Sake Cups】Wine Glass and Inokuchi (cup)
Aroma】+2.0（green apple, grape, white dumpling)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Short to medium. It is sharp and leaves a dry, dry-like sharpness.
Impression】Modern light and ultra-dry with a fruity aroma.
I'm really into Suminoe recently. This one is designed to be super dry.
The aroma is of fresh green apples, and the flavor is more like grape than muscat, which is what you get when you drink Suminoe. I think there are not many breweries that have this aroma. The taste is light, with restrained parameters. It is a sharp sake with a fruity flavor that goes well with light-flavored foods as a mid-meal drink. It is a bottle that I would like to keep on hand at home with Hakurakusei.
Pairing] Sashimi, sushi, soba noodles, grilled white fish, tempura, etc.
Repeat Score] 2.5
Brand Name] Yonesuru Daiginjo Gyosho
Sake Brewer ] YONEZURU SHUZO CO.
Type of Sake] Daiginjo
Rice] 100% Yamadanishiki from Hyogo Prefecture
Polishing ratio] 35
Alcohol content] 16% [Sake alcohol content] +1 to +2 [Sake alcohol content] +1 to +2
Sake meter] +1 to +3
Acidity] 1.1 - 1.3
Yeast] Yamagata yeast, Association 1801
Sake Cup】Wine glass
Aroma] +1.5 (apple, white peach, muscat, gorgeous ginjo aroma)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Short to medium. It cuts off cleanly and smoothly.
Impression] A mellow dry daiginjo.
A master brewer who won a gold medal at the National New Sake Competition in 2024. I bought this bottle as a souvenir when I participated in Yonezuru's rice planting, but you would never think it would be bottled as a countermeasure against alosoaking for the examination. Before the alkaloids, the nose has a complex aroma including white peaches from a cerulenin-resistant strain. However, it is quite mild and elegant. The taste is beautiful and elegant with moderate sweetness and acidity. The sake has a clean and elegant taste with just the right amount of sweetness and acidity, and the alkaloids are not at all deliberate, which makes the aftertaste refreshing.
Pairing】Pairs well with white fish sashimi, seafood hot pot, crab cream croquettes, marinated scallops, shrimp dumplings, etc. (Internet information)
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand name] Tsururei Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki
Sake Brewer] Aoki Shuzo Co.
Type of Sake] Junmai Ginjo
Rice used: 100% Yamadanishiki
Polishing ratio] 50%.
Alcohol content】17%.
Sake Cup】Inoguchi
Aroma】+2.0（green apple, pear, white peach, banana, white egg dumpling)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 2.0
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium. Fruity and umami flavors remain in good balance and cut off cleanly.
Impression: Mellow, medium-dry with body.
Tsururei is known for its light, dry taste, but this is a different world, a mellow, structured style. The aroma has a fresh fruit aroma unique to nama-shu, and the taste has a punchy attack and sweetness typical of nama-shu. The fullness derived from Yamada-Nishiki is well expressed, with a combination of flamboyance and rice flavor. The taste is unusual for a Niigata sake.
However, I think that such a sake should at least be listed as a draft sake on the menu. I can't expect it to be just Tsururei Junmai Ginjo (laugh). I thought the price was a little high for Tsururei.
I should try adding water.
Pairing] Teriyaki yellowtail and braised beef
Repeat Score】1.5
Gassan mellow dry junmai (Junmai)
Sake Brewer】YOSHIDA SHUZOH K.K. (Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture)
Type of sake] Junmai-shu
Rice used: 100% domestic rice suitable for sake brewing
Rice polishing ratio] 70% [Alcohol content] 15
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Inoguchi
Aroma】+1.5（green apple, mild rice aroma, light nuttiness, and a hint of lactic acidity)
Appearance] Slightly greenish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Medium. Umami and bitterness remain in the aftertaste and disappear sharply.
Pairing] Personally, I like to pair it with oily sashimi and grilled fish.
Impression] Mellow and dry with a lightness.
The aroma is mild, with a refreshing ginjo aroma of green apples. When served cold, it is so fresh that you don't feel the 70% rice polishing. The taste is refreshing with a sharp acidity.
It seems to take on a different appearance when the temperature is raised.
I've had it several times, so I'll wait for a while to try it again.
...30 minutes later
It was true that a thicker acidity and umami flavor that wasn't there at first appeared. Next time, I'll have it hot.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand name】Hachikaisan Special Honjozo
Sake Brewer】Hachikai Jyozo Corporation (Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture)
Kind of sake】Special Honjozo
Rice】Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] 55
Alcohol content】15.5度
Sake cup】Inoguchi
Aroma】+1.0（Mild rice aroma, white dumpling, hint of green apple)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 1.5
Sweetness: 1.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering taste: Light and short. The aftertaste is clean and crisp, with a hint of bitterness remaining.
Impression: Niigata's typical light and dry.
A textbook Niigata light and dry sake that everyone knows.
The aroma is of steamed rice.
The taste is restrained but nicely balanced, with a lightness that quickly disappears.
It is the king of food sake, with a depth of flavor that can be served cold, at room temperature, or even warmed up.
Hakkaiyama is good with everything, but Tokuhon is the best.
Pairing: Can be paired with grilled fish, tempura, chilled tofu, soba noodles, etc.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand】Original glasses only
Sake Brewer】A joint project of "Megane Sake Breweries" across the country, including Banjoju (Suzuki Sake Brewery, Fukushima), Aizu Sake Brewery (Fukushima), and Takahata Winery (Yamagata).
Type of sake: Japanese sake
Rice used: Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] Undisclosed (estimated to be around 60%)
Alcohol content】15度
Sake Cup】Half glass
Aroma】+1.5 green apple, citrus, oak aroma
Appearance] Slight yellowish crystal
Taste]
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.5
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Short to medium. A hint of sweetness and acidity remains.
Impression] Fruity medium sweet with a hint of acidity.
A collaboration project for the glasses day.
The aroma is modest but fruity. A little bit of oak flavor, but is it just my imagination?
Sweet and sour from the attack. There is a certain amount of sweetness, and together with the unique tannin and thick acidity, it has a nuance somewhat like plum wine.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Eiko-Fuji Hinowa
Sake Brewer】TOMASHI SHUZOH K.K. (Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Junmai Daiginjo Unfiltered Nama-shu
Rice used: 100% Tsuyahime
Rice polishing ratio】50
Alcohol percentage] 16.8
Sake Cup】Half glass
Aroma】+2.0（Muscat, green apple, white peach, sake lees aroma, slightly banana-like)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium. The sweet and acidic tones remain in harmony for a slightly long time, and the volume of alcohol tightens it up at the end.
Impression: Fruity, mellow, slightly sweet.
The main aroma is fresh fruitiness typical of nama sake, with a hint of sakekasu (sake lees). The taste is very voluptuous and juicy despite being a daiginjo. However, the sweetness and acidity are well balanced, giving the impression that it can be served with a meal.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Tanikaze Junmai Daiginjo
Sake Brewer] Suminoe Shuzo (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Junmai Daiginjo
Rice] 100% Yamadanishiki from Hyogo Prefecture
Rice polishing ratio] 40
Alcohol content】16度
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（White peach, green apple, muscat, hint of banana)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium. The fruity aroma lingers slightly, but disappears after a short while.
Impression: A mellow, fruity Junmai Daiginjo.
I've recently become a fan of Suminoe and collect all the ones I can find on the Internet. This is a high-end sake made from Yamadanishiki produced in Hyogo Prefecture.
The aroma is gorgeous and fruity, with hints of white peaches. The taste is broad, as is typical of Yamadanishiki, but it has a gentle and beautiful impression, with a neat structure that is typical of Suminoe. Personally, I prefer the Nakadare, but it is a great sake in the sense that it shows the brewery's capabilities.
Pairing: White fish sashimi, sushi, chilled soba noodles, and boiled hamo (pike conger).
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand name] is68 Junmai Daiginjo
Sake Brewer] NAKAMURA SHUZOH K.K. (Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Junmai Daiginjo
Rice] Ishikawa rice (details unknown)
Polishing ratio] 50%.
Alcohol content】15度
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma] +1.5 (sake lees, muscatel, white peach, green apple)
Appearance] Slightly greenish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Medium and clean.
Impression] Modern, light and fruity.
A souvenir from Ishikawa Prefecture. is68 is thought to refer to Ishikawa Sake No. 68 (the original name of Hyakumangoku No. White).
The aroma is a coexistence of the sake-kasu (sake lees) feeling and fruity flavor of the Nara pickles. The taste is fresh but mellow. The acidity and sugar content are balanced without being sluggish, making it easy to drink. It is suitable for cold sake.
Pairing】Pairs well with white meat fish carpaccio, vinegared oysters, chilled tofu, sushi, etc.
Repeat Score] 1.5
