Kubota Hekijyu is a Yamahai Junmai Daiginjyo from Niigata Prefecture, Japan. This sake has a very slight nut smell. First sip reveals a smooth and dry entry with a very clean taste. Slightly acidic to spark the taste buds had hints of fruit flavor without being fruity. Had a minor tail on first sip, in later sips the tail completely disappears. Goes well with light seafood and white fish sashimi.
720ml $50.00 SMV +3.0
Otokoyama (Man’s Mountain) is a Jumani made in Hokkaido, Japan. This sake lives up to its name, it is very dry and harsh. The first sip started out smooth with some earth tones but quickly became acidic and ended with a very harsh tail. Following sips actually got worse because all I could taste was the dry harshness of the drink. Some may like the harness, but I will pass on this bottle next time.
720ml $26.00 SMV +10.0
Today’s entry is Hana Bonbori (Flower Lantern) which is a Diaginjyo produced in Niigata, Japan. First sip of this sake was very smooth up front but ended with a minor tail. This a dry, very earthy sake with lots wood tones. Slightly acidic without detracting from the smoothness. I did not think the taste justified the expense. Nonetheless it was an interesting sake.
$35.00 500ml SMV +5.0
Tozai Living Jewel is a Junmai grade sake that is made in Kyoto, Japan. This entry is named after the koi fish on the label which Japan considers living jewels. The sake has a nice slightly fruity nose. First taste was smooth with tangy fruit flavors without being overly stated. The first sip was mildly acidic and had a slight bite on the back end. This sake should be served chilled, can be sipped alone or served with a wide array of food.
720ml $15.00 smv +6.5
Hakushika (White Deer) is a Junmai Namachozo from Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan. This sake is a very smooth and light drink. First sip was smooth yet little acidic which was to awake your taste buds. Following sips brought up tastes of nuts and even a slight hint of peanut butter. As I drank the nut flavors changed, it was very interesting. This sake should be served chilled and would go great with light tasting fish or slight salty food to further bring out the nut flavors.
180ml $3.50 SMV +3.0
Miyanoyuki (Temple Snow) is Junmai Ginjyo that is made in Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan. This entry had a very slight peach smell and followed with a very smooth refined taste. First sip was very mellow, full of light fruit flavors without being a fruity drink which would have detract from the clean taste. It had no tail and was smooth start to finish. Should be serve chilled, with light tasting food.
300ml $12.00 SMV +2.0
Setsugetsu bijin (Snow Moon Beauty) is a Junmai Ginjyo made in Hita, Oita Prefecture, Japan. It is a very smooth, very clean tasting sake. It has no bite or no tail at all. In fact the lack of any alcohol taste makes this a very interesting sake. However, the light lean flavor may not sit well with people looking for more flavor. This sake should be served chilled with light tasting food.
300ml $12.00 SMV +3
Kura no Hana is a Junmai Diaginjyo named after the new strain of rice that the Uchigasaki Brewing Company, Miyagi Prefecture Japan created especially for light tasting sakes. This selection had no nose. The first taste was very smooth, mellow, and full of fruit flavors. There was no bite, and a sweet aftertaste. It is slightly dry which is odd for a fruity drink. It goes well with lobster, scallops, and any kind of white fish sashimi.
500ml $35.00 SMV 0, Acidity 1.1
Today’s entry is the signature sake of Kubo’s Restaurant in Houston. This sake is brewed and bottled in Nishinomiya, Japan. Specifically selected and labeled for distribution exclusively in the restaurant, it has no nose, everything is in the taste. First taste reveals mellow, slightly sweet, fruity flavors that are exceedingly smooth with no tail. The smoothness and lack of an aftertaste is remarkable for a sake that is just a Jumnai. This is must try for anyone visiting the restaurant.
180ml $9.00
Hatsumago, “The First Grandchild” is Junmai Kimoto by Yamagata Prefecture’s Tohoku Meijo. The first smell is slightly floral and pleasant. This is followed by a taste that is smooth, slightly dry, sweet and fruity without being over powering. However, the smoothness is mask by a slight tail on the back end. This is a sake should be served chilled and can be serve with most food.
720ml $20 SMV +3.0 Acidiy 1.3