tknxChilled
Gentle is the first thought that went through my head. Banana on the nose. The texture is soft with a velvet feel. Lychee flavors pervade through an almost milk tea vibe.
85/100
tknxChilled
Very fruit forward right from the beginning. Initial sweetness is tricky since it settles into a pleasant dryness almost immediately with good acidity. Lingering finish of oxidized apple juice.
80/100
tknxChilled
Sparkling so mouthfeel is a bit harder to describe but feels a bit less viscous than most.
Initial bitterness gives way to a light sweetness and then pear flavors emerge near the tail.
70/100
tknxRoom temperature.
Very smooth mouthfeel at first with a bit of roughness at the back of the throat. Elegant initial rice flavors that give way to a peach-cantaloupe blend.
Finish is perhaps a bit mild and short.
Excellent. 90/100
tknxChilled
Squash scent which carries to a yam like initial taste. Rough texture on the tongue which carries through the astringency at the back end.
70/100
tknxSlightly chilled
Cherry on the nose. Flavor is slightly bitter, almost like an orange liqueur. I feel like this would work well with very fatty foods.
67/100 - average. But could pair well with the right things which would level it up.
tknxRoom temp
Well integrated cedar flavors with a bit of roughness on the tongue that enhances that “woody” vibe. Overripe green apple initially gives way to nutmeg astringency.
75/100
Warmed
Really makes the apple flavors come forward with almost a cinnamon overlay, like a Christmas warm drink. The cedar retreats to the background but is there…
80/100
tknxChilled
Dry all the way through. Honeydew at the start and fades to banana esters with more acidity in the tail end than the front. Thick mouthfeel but not too much bite given the alcohol
75/100 - Above Average
tknxChilled
Strong honeydew initial taste with a quick astringency afterwards with some mild acetone notes (not offensively so)
Texture is a smooth and just slightly thick.
65/100
tknxRoom temperature
A relatively dry nose which belies the relatively rich initial rounded taste reminiscent of caramel banana and rice.
The initial richness vanishes quickly with a lingering feel of melon down the middle of your tongue.
Will try chilled next.
75/100 - above average
tknxChilled
Dry nose with some esters. Maybe slight banana
Flavor is really rice if you can think about terroir of rice I feel like this would be a good vehicle for it.
75/100 above average.
tknxChilled
On the nose it is like a bitter cucumber that spoiled a bit and became a bit sickly sweet. And it continues to the taste which has sweetness and a bit of an unpleasant bitterness at the same time.
The finish just continues to fade.
The mouthfeel is pleasant with a little bit of fine fizz.
Overall I am not a huge fan.
(50/100)
tknxChilled
Strong ume flavors and a bit of a wine sour but not distasteful note although the low alcohol counters that a bit. Not much change in aftertaste.
Chilled over ice with soda water
Now it takes on a Lillet like characteristic. The ume mellows and a bit more lime like citrus comes forth.
Overall an interesting profile but maybe could use some more work to emphasize its idiosyncrasies. (65/100)
tknxRoom temp
Sparkling and nigori. My least favorite types of sake combined. That being said, it isn’t absolutely terrible.
On the nose it is apples. Mouthfeel is rough from the light carbonation and the nigori texture comes out after that with a slight graininess. Initial flavor is strongly cantaloupe, almost too strong, which gives way to a somewhat unpleasant bitterness that lingers.
35/100 for me. But this is completely because it is a style I really don’t like.
tknxChilled
On the nose, a bit acerbic and very dry.
But drinking it is a different story. Apples just slightly brown and very sweet. Dry. A floral taste emerges at the end, almost rose like. Amazing acidity.
This is one that goes with everything. And is delicious.
95/100