Recently, I was invited to a private sake tasting to sample a rather expensive sake bought by the renowned Sushi Club of Houston President, Mr. Carl Rosa. The sake was a Junmai Daiginjyo from Tamba, Hyogo Japan and came in a beautiful container befitting it’s expense. As everyone gather around and toasted, I could smell a very pleasing mint aroma from the glasses. The first drink revealed a very smooth and slightly dry drink with pleasant mint ascents. However, there was an acidity and harness on the back end that had no place in this style or level of sake. Therefore, I was somewhat disappointed in the overall performance of this entry. This is proof that price is not a guarantor of quality and that sake tasting is an adventure. The prices of the bottle excluding shipping was $160 for 720ml.
Posts Tagged ‘Junmai Diaginjyo’
Sake in Review : 路上有花 Bloom on the Path
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
Sake in Review : Ty Ku
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
Not to long ago I had the opportunity to sample three TYKU bottles at a dinner party. TyKu White (Junmai Diaginjyo), TyKu Black (Junmai Ginjyo), and TyKu Soju were served during the dinner. While the Tyku White was served first, because everyone wanted to see what this expensive sake was like; However, I feel it should have been served last. TyKu White has very silky smooth fruity taste with lots of peach and chocolate flavors. Very moist, fruity with no tail, no bite, just pure silk. This is clearly a desert drink. Later TyKu Black was served. While Tyku White is mostly your fruity after dinner drink, TyKu Black is more your get down to business drink. Its dry, smooth, not fruity with hints of spices that change during drinking. Lightly acidic to excite the palette without a noticeable tail. Clearly my choice of the evening. TyKu Soju is as the name says a Soju not a Sake. TyKu Soju is a barley based spirit. Its flavor was more like a smooth light tasting whiskey. While it has a bite like most barley based drinks, it was a lot more subdued and refined.
- TyKu White ($110) For Parties or as a Special Gift. But too expensive and fruity for normal occasions.
- TyKu Black ($27) Nice selection and a good to change of pace, but there just as good sakes for the same or less money.
- TyKu Soju ($20) If you are looking for other Japanese spirits this is a good place to start.
Sake in Review: 久保田-碧寿 Kubota Hekijyu
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
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
Sake in Review : Kura no Hana
Monday, June 28th, 2010
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
Sake in Review : 鷹長 Takacho
Saturday, June 5th, 2010
Takacho “The Regal Hawk”, this entry certainly lives up to its name. This is a full on, full favored sake that is anything but tame. This fine sake is made in Gose, Nara Perfecture, Japan and is a Junmai Daiginjyo. From the first smells of apple you can tell this is not for light tasting food. The first taste is a bit harsh because of the intensity of the flavors but it is never unpleasant. After the first drink the harshness goes away and you are left with a very full flavored fruity sake. This sake should be served cold with full favored meats or spicy food. $14.50 300ml Rating +5 Acidity 1.6
Sake in Review : 古典寫楽 Koten Sharaku
Monday, May 17th, 2010
Welcome to Sake in Review! Today, I would like to talk about a fine sake in that was a joy to drink. Koten Sharaku is a Junmai Daiginjyo which is produced in Fukushima, Japan. This sake was wonderfully smooth and easy to drink with no after taste. The fruit flavor is clear, refined, light and gentle. This should always be served chilled, preferably with a light tasting food so as to not hide the flavor of the sake.
$15.00 300ml SMV +3.0 Acidity 1.3