Akishika Nose Junmai-shu (unfiltered)
Sake Brewer] Akishika Shuzo (Nose Town, Toyono-gun, Osaka Prefecture)
Type of sake] Junmai-shu (unfiltered)
Rice used: 100% rice suitable for sake brewing
Rice polishing ratio] 75
Alcohol content】14%.
Sake Cup】Glass
Aroma】+1.5（Narazuke、cooked rice、dried grass、walnut、lactic acid)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.5 (lactic acid type + slight malic acid)
Sweetness: 1.0
Umami: 2.0
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Umami and acidity linger slowly, fading out with a light astringency
Impression] Classical umami dry taste.
The aroma is completely umami, with hints of Nara pickles and steamed rice. The taste is designed to be super dry with low sugar content and lactic acidity.
It has the graininess and umami of 75% polished rice and the thickness of unfiltered rice, while the alcohol level of 14 degrees makes it hard to get tired of drinking.
Although we have not tried it yet, it seems that its flavor will be enhanced if it is served at room temperature or lukewarm.
Pairing] Grilled fish, simmered root vegetables, miso dengaku, etc.
Repeat Score】1.5
Brand Name] ZAKU Enochi Junmai Ginjo
Sake Brewer] SHIMIZU Seizaburo Shoten(Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Junmai Ginjo
Rice] Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（White peach, pear, apple, white flower)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0 (mainly malic acid)
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering] Although refreshing, the fruity flavor and soft sweetness remain in a relaxed manner.
Impression] Aromatic, mellow, slightly sweet.
Aromas of pear and white peach come out softly and pleasantly. The taste is fruity and sweet with a good amount of sugar and acidity, but it can be used as a stand-alone sake or as an in-between-dinner drink.
It is a sweet wine with a very beautiful impression, without any cloying taste. It is definitely to be drunk with a glass of wine.
Pairing] Caprese, white fish meuniere, light cheese
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand name] Toyo Bijin Exclusive
Sake Brewer] Noborikawa Shuzo Co.
Type of Sake] Junmai Daiginjo
Rice】Domestic rice
Rice Polishing Ratio] Not disclosed
Alcohol content】16%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（White peach, muscatel, green apple, hint of melon)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 1.5 (soft acidity)
Sweetness: 1.5 (elegant fruit sweetness)
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.0
Aftertaste: Soft and sweet lingering taste.
Impression: Aromatic, light, slightly sweet.
Elegant fruity aroma and clear sake quality typical of Toyo Bijin.
The aroma is a gorgeous fruity ginjo aroma.
The taste is soft and gently sweet, with mild acidity, but it leaves a relatively light and refreshing impression.
Although there is little information available to the public and there are many mysteries, it has a broad palate with little cloying taste. It tastes like Yamadanishiki has been reduced to the level of Daiginjo.
Pairing] White fish carpaccio and tomato caprese
Repeat Score] 1.5
Brand Name] Koshiji-no-Kenbai Junmai Ginjo
Sake Brewer】Kubiki Shuzo K.K. (Kakizaki-ku, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture)
Kind of sake] Junmai Ginjo
Rice] 100% Hachitan-Nishiki No.2 (Niigata Prefecture)
Rice polishing ratio] 55
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Inoguchi
Aroma】+1.5（green apple, white flowers, a hint of rice sweetness)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
- Body: 1.5
- Acid: 2.0, citric-like acidity afterward
- Sweetness: 1.5
- Taste: 1.5
- Bitterness: 1.0
Aftertaste: Medium
Impression] Light, medium dry
I have not encountered many Hachitan-Nishiki No. 2 from Niigata. The aroma is modest, but the fruity ginjo aroma gives a beautiful impression.
The taste is refreshingly light and light, as is typical of Niigata, but with a gentle sweetness and umami flavor. The mouthfeel is smooth.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand name] AQE2025 "Star of Hope SAGITTARIUS" Special Junmai
Sake Brewer: Hachinohe Shuzo Co.
Sake type: Tokubetsu Junmai Sake
Rice used: Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio: 55% for koji rice, 60% for kake rice
Alcohol content: 15%.
Sake cup】Wine glass
Aroma】+1.5（Muscat、green apple、Rhamné)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acid: 2.0 (mainly malic acid, a little lactic acid)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Medium and clean. Fruit acidity and light bitterness disappear.
Impression] Modern, light and dry.
Comments are dubious as it has reached singularity.
The ginjo aroma is subdued but has a freshness of blue fruits. The taste is light and refreshing with a restrained balance of acidity and sweetness. However, a peculiar sweetness lingers in the aftertaste, giving it a kind of flirtatiousness. Is this a timeless approach by a classical brewer to a modern one? I would like to ask the master brewer (in a positive sense).
Repeat Score] 1.5
Bunkajin Summer Jungin
Sake Brewer] Arisawa Corporation (Tosa-Yamada Town, Kami City, Kochi Prefecture)
Type of Sake】Junmai Ginjo
Rice】Domestic rice (undisclosed variety)
Rice Polishing Ratio] 50% [Alcohol Content] 16
Alcohol content】16%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（Pineapple, green apple, melon, white peach)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.5 (mainly malic acid, citrus nuances)
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 1.0
Bitterness: 1.0
Aftertaste: Short to medium. The sweet and sour taste quickly disappears, leaving behind a cool, refreshing feeling.
Impression: A sweet and sour modern summer sake.
The tropical fruit aroma is clearly typical of Kochi yeast, and the acidity, which is mainly malic acid, is impressive.
The aroma is loud, but somewhat unifying and tropical, and although there is no mention of yeast, I suspect AC95 (expected).
The aroma is gorgeous, but the aftertaste is light. The sweetness is subdued and cuts through quickly, making it a good match for summer seafood and citrus dishes.
Repeat Score] 2.0
SENKIN KABUTOMUSHI 2025 Unfiltered Nama Sake
Sake Brewer] SENKIN Co.
Kind of sake] Junmai-shu (unfiltered, unpasteurized sake)
Rice] 100% Yamadanishiki (produced in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture)
Polishing ratio] Koji rice: 50%, Kake rice: 60
Alcohol content】14%.
Sake Cup】Wine glass
Aroma: +2.0 (pineapple, green apple, lychee, yogurt)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal, with slight bubbles
Taste]
- Body: 1.5
- Acid: 2.5 (mainly malic acid, citrus)
- Sweetness: 2.0
- Taste: 1.5
- Bitterness: 1.0
Lingering: Short to medium, acidity and sweetness disappear at the same time, leaving a freshness.
Impression] Juicy, modern, medium dry.
Before I got into sake, this beetle came out as a recommendation at a soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant. Thinking about it now, it was so sweet and sour that I thought it wouldn't go well with Soba. This is a strange summer sake that reminds me of beetle food.
...To comment seriously, it is light, as summer sake should be, with a coolness from the malic acid and a freshness from the unpasteurized sake. I mean, it is a modern and experimental sake with the Amaneko standing of Shinsei.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Tomikunaga Junmai-shu, Miho's favorite
Sake Brewer ] Imada Shuzo Honten K.K. (Akitsu-cho, Higashihiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken)
Kind of sake ] Junmai-shu
Rice] 100% Yatanso (contract grown rice produced in Takamiya, Hiroshima Prefecture)
Rice polishing ratio] 70%.
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（green apple, white dumpling, steamed rice, ethyl acetate)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
- Body: 1.5
- Acid: 2.0 (malic acid type)
- Sweetness: 1.5
- Taste: 1.5
- Bitterness: 1.0
Aftertaste: Fruity, medium dry
Impression] Aromatic gentle medium dry
The last in the shop-only series.
This is the first time for me to taste Hattanso, but it has a unique view of the world, whether it is derived from the rice or the producer.
The aroma is not only fruity but also exotic with ethyl acetate.
The taste is balanced and restrained, with a chestnut-like sweetness in the aftertaste.
Pairing with sashimi or anything else is unexpected.
Repeat Score] 1.5
Gorin Junmai-shu
Sake Brewer] Kurumata Shuzo Co.
Type of sake】Junmai-shu
Rice] Domestic rice (undisclosed variety)
Rice polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol content】15.5%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma: +1.0 (green apple, mild rice aroma, steamed chestnut, banana)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
- Body: 2.0
- Acidity: 2.0 (lactic acid-leaning and soft)
- Sweetness: 1.5
- Taste: 1.5
- Bitterness: 1.5
Raining: Medium. Alcoholic bitterness remains.
Impression: Dry, with a mellow, umami flavor.
This is another sake for seafood that is only available at stores.
Gorin has an image of being light and dry, but this junmai sake has a calm and pleasant taste with rice flavor and a bit of acidity. The aroma is mild, with a refreshing green apple and rice aroma coexisting. The taste is also gentle and umami, with a hint of sakekasu (sake lees).
Repeat Score] 1.5
Brand name] Mansyuusen Junmai Daiginjo TORON
Sake Brewer】Masuda Shuzoten Corporation (Higashi-Iwase-cho, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Junmai Daiginjo
Rice] Domestic rice (undisclosed variety)
Rice Polishing Ratio] 50% [Alcohol Content] 16
Alcohol content】16%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+1.5（Melon, green apple, white peach, slight banana)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
- Body: 1.5
- Acid: 2.0 (mainly malic acid)
- Sweetness: 1.5
- Taste: 1.5
- Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Medium and mild. Fruity aroma and soft acidity gently fade away.
Impression] Aromatic, light and dry.
This is also a shop-only sake for seafood.
The aroma is mild with some fresh fruit aroma. The taste is also relatively restrained, giving a sense of lightness. The lingering alcohol taste made me think for a moment that it was aluzoe.
It is a good sake to drink with sashimi and other dishes.
Pairing] White fish sashimi
Repeat Score】1.5
Atago no matsutsu: Fresh and dry, honjozo
Sake Brewer] Shinzawa Brewery Co.
Type of Sake] Honjozo
Rice】Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] 70% [Alcohol content] 15
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+1.0（Modest green apple, freshly cooked rice)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
- Body: 1.5
- Acid: 2.0 (malic acid type)
- Sweetness: 1.0
- Taste: 1.5
- Bitterness: 1.5 (clear and therefore bitter)
Lingering: Short and sharp, leaving a light bitterness and a cool sensation.
Impression: Clear, light and dry.
This may be the first time I have tasted Arisawa's Aruzoe.
Compared to Hakurakusei, which I usually drink, this is a dry sake with a slightly different worldview (although it is the same in the sense that it is a food sake).
As the name suggests, it is designed to have a moderate aroma and a low sugar content.
The somewhat gentle fruity flavor may be typical of Mr. Arisawa, and the clear, light, dry taste helps to wash away the fat and saltiness of the food.
Pairing] Vinegared mozuku seaweed, white fish sashimi, salted grilled fish, cold tofu, light fried fish
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand Name] Yamagata Masamune Handmade Junmai
Sake Brewer] MITOBE SHUZO CO.
Kind of sake】Junmai-shu
Rice] 100% domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol content】16%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma] +1.5 (green apple, steamed rice, hay, mild banana)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0 (lactic acidic, soft)
Sweetness: 2.0
Umami: 2.0
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Rice-derived umami and acidity remain in good balance, with a light bitterness on the back end.
Impression] Umami, medium dry.
The aroma is modest, but has a double punch of fruity ginjo aroma and rice aroma. The fruity aroma is present at low temperatures, but as the temperature rises, the aroma changes to a rice aroma.
The mouthfeel is soft, and from the mid-palate, the sweetness of the rice and the acidity are in harmony. The acidity is mainly lactic acid and mild. The brewery's taste and design are well expressed.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand name] TATENOKAWA, Junmai Daiginjyo (fresh yeast & MLF)
Sake Brewer] TATENOKAWA SHUZOH CO.
Kind of sake] Junmai Daiginjo
Rice used: 100% sake brewing rice
Rice polishing ratio] 50% [Alcohol content] 15
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma] +1.5 (yogurt, white peach, pear, steamed rice)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acid: 2.0 (mainly lactic acid, soft)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 2.0
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Mild acidity and a dairy-like richness that lingers moderately.
Impression] Mellow modern sake yeast
This is a unique lactic acid duet of a yeast yeast using lactic acid bacteria and malolactic fermentation.
This is a bottle that is particular about mellowness, even going to the trouble of having the yeast make malic acid and then converting it to lactic acid.
This is the result of bioscience techniques.
The main aroma is more lactic acid than ginjo aroma, with mild fruitiness like pear and white peach. The harmony of acidity, umami, and richness derived from the sake's natural yeast yeast yeast, makes this sake a perfect match as a food sake.
Pairing] Cream pasta, sauteed butter, white mold cheese
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand Name] Gekkeikan Nama-Shu Shiboritate Dry
Sake Brewer] Gekkeikan Co.
Kind of sake] Normal sake (Nama-shu)
Type of Sake] Normal Sake (Nama-Shu) [Rice] Domestic Rice, Domestic Rice Koji
Rice Polishing Ratio] Undisclosed (Normal Sake Standard)
Alcohol content] Less than 14-15 degrees Celsius
Sake Cup】Tasting Glass
Aroma] +1.5 (green apple, muscat, steamed rice)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0 (malic acid predominant, lactic acid also strong)
Sweetness: 1.0
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.0
Lingering: Short, sharp when chilled, full-bodied with lactic acidity as the temperature rises.
Impression] Light and dry with umami.
I tasted it at home after sneaking it home from the hotel.
The sharp malic acid from the cold flavor acid and the soft richness from the lactic acid coexist in the same bottle, making it a light and dry sake that looks great cold. Although it is a regular sake, it has a fruity aroma and lightness like a ginjo sake, making it an excellent everyday sake. It is also interesting to note the change in acidity as the temperature changes.
The cold acidity seems to be an organic acid originally developed by Gekkeikan. This is an idea unique to ordinary sake, and is a pleasure that cannot be found in sake with a specific name.
Pairing] Edamame (soybeans), chilled tofu, horse mackerel, grilled fish with salt
Repeat Score】1.5
Brand Name] Mitsui no Kotobuki +14 Daijariguchi Yamadanishiki
Sake Brewer】Miinotobuki Corporation (Otoarai-cho, Mitsui gun, Fukuoka)
Type of Sake] Junmai Ginjo
Rice] 100% Yamadanishiki
Polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol percentage] 14% [Sake alcohol percentage] +14% [Sake alcohol percentage] +14
Sake meter] +14% [Sake meter] +14% [Acidity
Acidity】1.8
Yeast] Association No. 901
Sake Cups] wine glass, sake cup
Aroma] +1 (mild rice aroma, hay, hint of banana)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 1.5
Sweetness: 0.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Short, dry
Impression: Stoic, light, dry.
The aroma has a slight nuance of steamed rice.
It is designed to be super dry, with a sake meter of +14, and the sweetness is thoroughly eliminated, while the acidity and bitterness create a sharpness.
The low alcohol content of 14% makes it hard to get tired of drinking even though it is dry, but on the other hand, it is a little too spicy and hard to drink by itself while sober. It is suitable as a mid-meal drink.
Repeat Score: 1.5
Brand Name] Gakki Masamune Daiginjyo Shirazumi Chutsukuri
Sake Brewer] Oki Daikichi Honten (Yabuki-cho, Nishi-Shirakawa-gun, Fukushima Prefecture)
Daiginjo, unfiltered and unpasteurized.
Rice] Domestic rice (unknown variety)
Rice polishing ratio] 43
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+2.0（green apple, pear, white peach, rumney)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acid: 2.0 (mainly malic acid)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.0
Short to medium length. The aroma lingers softly and quickly disappears.
Impression: Gorgeous, fragrant, light and dry.
I tasted the genius instrumental Masamune from Aruzoe, which is in the Hall of Fame in my opinion.
It has a fruity aroma of pear, which is typical of Musical Instrument Masamune. The sweetness is well balanced with the acidity, and the slight carbonation gives it a refreshing feeling.
It stands out for its clarity and lack of clutter, which is typical of the Nakadori style.
It is a terrific sake that can easily be enjoyed on its own.
Repeat Score: 2.5
Asahi Ei Junmai Ginjo Autumn Edition
Sake Brewer] Sagara Shuzo (Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Junmai Ginjo
Rice] Domestic rice (details unknown)
Rice polishing ratio] 55
Alcohol content】16%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+1.5（cooked rice, white dumplings)
Appearance] Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 1.5
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 2.0
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering] Slightly long. Gentle sweetness remains.
Impression: Light and dry, with a mellow, umami flavor.
The aroma is calm and the taste is rounded, as is typical of autumn sake. The sweetness is subdued, and the mild umami and soft acidity are well balanced. It can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Repeat Score] 2.0
Brand Name] Ura-Gasanryu Koka
Sake Brewer】Shindo Shuzoten(Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Honjozo, Unfiltered, Nama-zume
Rice] 100% Dewanosato
Rice polishing ratio】70
Alcohol content】14%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma] +1.0 (green apple, white peach)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering] Umami and a slight bitterness remain to a medium degree.
Impression: Dry with a touch of light umami
Today, we compared four Gazan-style wines.
It has the most umami and calm taste of the four Gazan-style wines we drank today.
The aroma is mild, and it is the most classical among the Gazan-style series from the same brewery.
The light 14°C flavor makes it a type of sake that can be drunk continuously during meals. It is good as a food wine for dishes with a slightly strong flavor. For dishes that are too rich, try ✖️
Repeat Score] 1.5
Sake Brewer] Shindo Shuzoten (Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Sake Brewer】Shindo Shuzoten(Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Ginjo-shu, unfiltered and unpasteurized
Rice used: 100% Dewa Sanzu
Rice polishing ratio] 60
Alcohol content】14%.
Sake Cup】Wine Glass
Aroma】+1.5（green apple, white flower)
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acidity: 2.0
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Clear
Impression] Light and dry.
The aroma is not flashy and fruity.
It's a comparison of the Gazanryu series, but it's light and dry with a bit of fruitiness.
The aesthetics of 14 degrees in aluzome is something to be concerned about, but I can't tell the difference in the 10% degree of rice polishing....
It's just plain annoying. I'd like to ask the brewer sometime.
Repeat Score] 1.5
Brand name] Shin Izumi Hyokan Unsui
Sake Brewer】Shindo Shuzoten(Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Honjozo, unfiltered and unpasteurized
Rice used: 100% Tamanao
Rice polishing ratio】70
Alcohol content】14%.
Sake Cup] (Unknown, tentatively called "Inoguchi")
Aroma: +1.0 (steamed rice, cream, hay)
Appearance] Slightly yellowish crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 2.0
Acidity: 2.0 (slightly soft)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 2.0
Bitterness: 1.5
Lingering: Umami and a slight bitterness lingers moderately
Impression: Light and dry
The brewery insists on using Dewa Sanzan or else they would not be able to call themselves Gazan. Difficult to make.
The balance of the taste is quite light and dry, and the impression is even drier than the Gazan style we tasted earlier.
It was harshly spicy on its own, but when paired with sashimi, it was a world of its own. I finished it in no time. Pairing is amazing.
Repeat Score] 1.5
