750 ml. So, which brand has the best sake under $15 USD? These elegant and flavorful categories of sake are bright, fun, and represent the big leap into the premium category of sake. If brewers are looking to try something different, say by adding sake instead of more water to the brewing process, the result is Kijoshu (dessert sake). Ty . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to the Japantry, where youll have access to useful tips and fun info to help enjoy some of the delectables that Japan has to offer. That D+ in high school and college was not a fluke, so I hope you grade me on a curve based on effort.View all posts by Greg Taniguchi. Required fields are marked *. Well let us see what the experts or should I say the opinionated think via the web. Turning over a new leaf, bold new Gekkeikan! We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Set delivery address to see local pricing. Our Horin sake brand comes from a combination of the mythological sacred bird and the Kylin. Literally means "fresh storage". 4%. Get Gekkeikan - Suzaku Sake delivered near you in 30 minutes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Mild, fruity aroma with delicate notes of over-ripe cantaloupe and honeysuckle. Sake Meter Value: Changeable by Batch Now, of course, we have crossed borders and brew sake in the U.S. The result is that some Junmai can drink very rich and full-bodied, and some drink lighter and more elegant. They believe that the flavors and feelings are accentuated by not pasteurizing the sake to give you a different overall sake sensation. Tutti i sake della categoria Junmai vengono This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And best of all. Just made some oden and a nice drink, very good. Or Did I Just Not Ask the Right Question. Product description Suzaku is a junmai ginjo style sake, using rice that is polished more than for regular junmai. If you are looking for a classic sake flavor that doesnt venture too far into any particular category, this will do it for you. Hakutsuru is my favorite of the 'bottom shelf' sake, though it's not available in as many shops as the other 3. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. I find the latter to be incredibly harsh. There are no sulfites in sake. . And Nama sake is an excellent food-pairing category as it has more body, acidity, and flavors to pair with almost all types of cuisines including international spices and spicy American style sushi and rolls. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. all drink with an elegance and sophistication of flavors and complexities. I actually really like sho chiku bai. Any recommended cocktails? If you choose poorly, you might end up with a distaste for sake with the assumption that sake simply tastes terrible. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Order now online or through the app and have beer, wine & liquor delivered. Gekkeikan Horin Junmai Daginjo 300ml. This means that it is easy to create tsukihaze-type koji mold that reaches deep into the steamed rice grains, allowing a good balance of rice starch and protein breakdown. Youll get some fruity flavors out of this one, not overly sweet fruits but think more along the lines of apples or pears. Served it chilled or at room temperature to admire and indulge in the delicate fruity aroma and clean palate that characterise this Tokubetsu Junmai sake. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Junmai Daiginjo sakes are fantastic on their own and great with Champagne fare and elegant appetizers. Lots of flavor and a long finish, but still smooth enough to enjoy.Recommended serving method: This should be served hot. Serving Suggestions: This versatile sake can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature or chilled. sake, but its used to bring out more aromatics and textures. Good for chilled, room temperature, warming and heating. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Palate. The Junmai category is historically the way sake was. These brews can have their rice milled to many different levels from 80% with 20% removal to 65% with 35% removal as long as the milling percentages are on the label. I find the latter to be incredibly harsh. Typically, sake is pasteurized twice; Hiire, to act as the preservative for keeping sake more stable in the bottle for a longer period of shelf-life time. category has the highest standards of milling rates in the sake market with a minimum of 50% rice polishing and 50% remaining. Sake. links at no additional cost to you. It is significantly smoother than Sho-Chiku-Bai and Ozeki. Order now online or through the app and have beer, wine & liquor delivered. is not novelty or gimmicky sake. It does not store any personal data. 3 star. Premium sake carefully fermented to create a refreshingly fruity aroma and mild flavor. Literally formal brew [in comparison to futsu-shu] sake, Honjozo-shu is made from rice polished to at least 70%, water and a small addition of brewer's alcohol. Brewery: Gekkeikan (Laurel Crown) Brewed in: Folsom, California Established: 1637 (Japan), 1989 (USA) Type: Junmai Price: $9.99-$11.99, 1.5L (approximate pricing) Available Sizes: 750ml, 1.5L, 1.8L, and 18L www.gekkeikan-sake.com The number one brand in terms of popularity based on website traffic. Fruity. ** While the first three listed above are non-graded sake, the next three are what are known as Ginjo sake. By Gekkeikan 750 ml, $7.99Gekkeikan is the name of a Japanese sake manufacturer. The cloudiness comes from the rice sediment which remains in the sake after it has been passed through a special coarse-mesh filter. Gekkeikan Suzaku is a Junmai Ginjo-shu and is the first ever Ginjo to be introduced to the House of . The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Here are the six commonly accepted sake categories: These dependable categories of sake are the workhorses of the sake world. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This is an incredibly exciting and fresh collection of brews that represents sake in its rawest and most original form. Seconding Hakatsuru for a bottom shelf sake. This lighter-bodied sake is remarkably well-balanced, boasting a light-to-medium acidity. From $ 11.99. Alcohol: 15.6%Product of the USASulfite and gluten free. . This is a subreddit created for the discussion of sake. This fermentation is done at low temperatures, between 43F and 52F (6 and 11). Honjozo sake has the same rice milling standard that Junmai sake used to have 70% remaining and 30% removal. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Brewery: Takara Sake USA (sho chiku bai/pine bamboo plum)Brewed in: Berkeley, CaliforniaEstablished: 1842 (Japan), 1983 (USA)Type: JunmaiPrice: $11.50, 1.5L (wow, you can buy direct)Available Sizes: 180ml, 750ml, 1.5L, 3L, and 18Lwww.takarasake.com. Although it is commonly referred as Japanese rice wine, it is made through a brewing process similar to beer, where the rice starch is converted to sugars which ferment into alcohol by yeast. Gekkeikan - Suzaku Sake. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Founded in 1637, it is one of the oldest companies in the world. Depending on these factors, sake may be fruity or full-bodied, dry or sweet. since 2003, Mon. Characteristics: in the words of Gekkeikan herbaceous with hints of grapefruit and a light earthiness. On the dry side but not too dry, lighter in body than, for example, Sho Chiku Bai, good sake flavor and aroma without seeming to try to do too much. Size: Available in 720ml In Japan, a Junmai 720ml bottle costs between 1,000 and 2,000 yen. Its a great option to be used in cocktails or for cooking. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GREG TANIGUCHI and OISHII DESU with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. MSRP: $31.99 $27.99. Japanese Food and Culture in the United States and the World, Main image: courtesy of Takara Sake USA Inc. Orig posted 9/18/20 and updated on Sept/27/22. They are always served chilled. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The case design reflects the labels of the Daiginjo sakes from the twelve brewers who participated in the final selection. It does not store any personal data. Product Description: Yaegaki Sake Junmai represents the top of Yaegakis domestic sake line. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The difference with. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". It is a high-quality class of sake, a rice-based alcoholic beverage that is an intricate part . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". REVIEWS 251 reviews. But that standard is often surpassed by brewers looking to push the rice milling envelope that results in sakes that can be milled down to 35% down to 23% and even 7% remaining figures. Depending on these factors, sake may be fruity or full-bodied, dry or sweet. We are happy to announce you the results of 2021 the Fine Sake Awards Japan competition. The sparkling sake, Awa, category is one of the fastest growing segments in the sake industry. Lager. The Gekkeikan Sake making technique has been passed down through 14 family generations for over 370 years, dating back to 1637. Saucey / Wine / Sake & Soju / Junmai Ginjo. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 5 star. Ozekis original Japanese brewery was founded in 1711 by Osakaya Chobei in Nada district of Hyogo prefecture. Literally pure rice sake, Junmai-shu is made only from rice and water. Let us know if there are any other brands of sake under $15 that we should review. Search results prioritize 1 sponsored list. Starting in the 1900s, high-quality sake shipped to the Tokyo region was labeled Horin Masamune. In 1978, our highest-class Junmai Daiginjo sake started to be sold under the name Horin Gekkeikan, a name it retains today. Many people often wonder what cup is best for drinking sake. If it were any more smooth it would be named Barry White. It embodies the signature Gekkeikan style and represents over 370 years and 14 generations of sake brewing experience. And lastly, if a brewer decides to allow his sake to reach peak fermentation without adding the typical amount of water to bring sake back to a diluted state of roughly 15%-16% alcohol level, then the result is a sake that has an alcohol percentage along the lines of 17%-19%, called Genshu (undiluted sake). All rights Reserved. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". But it was pretty good warm as well. Review this. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The three are so widely available that if you have had sake in a Japanese restaurant, you most likely had one or at least two of these three brands before, and if you can remember that experience, it probably was not a bad one because affordable/cheap sake does not mean bad. The difference with Honjozo is that the makers add a little brewers alcohol to lighten the sake and clean things up. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Possessing a favorable bitterness and pleasant lingering taste, ko-shu is reminiscent of sherry. This category of sake is perfect for easy drinking and easy food pairings. Today, in Berkeley, CA, Takara Sake USA produces 13 originally brewed types of Sho Chiku Bai products. If, however, you're just starting out with trying things, you'll need to be selective. The Daiginjo category has the same milling standards of 50% removal and 50% remaining but sake makers add a little brewers alcohol to lighten the brew and bring out more aromatics and softer textures. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. sake is not fortified sake it is not made stronger by the added alcohol in fact it makes a sake lighter and more refreshing. They're all pretty bad, but I'd put Ozeki slightly above Gekkeikan and I wouldn't even use Shochikubai for cooking. 300 ml. Delicious with fresh fruit salad, lightly sweetened desserts, rich flavored meat dishes and spicy food. About: Ozeki Premium Junmai is one of the three sake products that Ozeki first brewed in California in 1979. The full explanation of the various sake grades can be found here, but to simplify the explanation, Ginjo is the second highest grade of sake. It embodies the signature Gekkeikan style and represents over 370 years and 14 generations of sake-brewing experience. Gekkeikan Sake Black & Gold Sak . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Founded in 1637 by Jiemon kura inFushimi, it is one of theworlds oldest companies, and they have continued to grow. Simple Question? Aged sake made through a maturation process requiring more than one year to complete. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Other types of sake include daiginjo, ginjo, and namazake. Discussion of other Japanese alcoholic beverages is also allowed (e.g. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. From $ 27.49 . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It does not store any personal data. Literally ordinary sake, Futsu-shu the most common type of sake in Japan, contains a small percentage of brewer's alcohol but does not have a specifically determined rice polishing ratio or brewing method. Most of the sakes under $10 are perfectly fine. All orders with delivery address within Metro Manila are FREE of delivery charges. Ginjo sake has the same milling/polishing standards of Junmai Ginjo, which means 40% removal and 60% remaining, but the difference is the makers use a little bit of brewers alcohol to clean and lighten up the sake, and in some cases can even make the sake more fruity and with more pop. Gekkeikan Sake Black & Gold 750 ml . Much sake peaks in flavor just below room temperature. Service temperature: chilled or at room temperature The Best Japanese Miso Brands and Their Packaging Design to Help You Identify Them in The Market. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. This is the top sake made by Gekkeikan, for the Japanese royal family. Set your delivery address to see local pricing and delivery options. Not a ton of flavor notes but it is on the dry side and has a rice taste to it. Style: Herbaceous with hints of grapefruit and a light earthiness. Great-tasting Sake made with the highest quality ingredients, proudly brewed in. Typically, sake is pasteurized twice; , to act as the preservative for keeping sake more stable in the bottle for a longer period of shelf-life time. . Yeah, tastes like plum juice mixed in with red wine that's gone off. By definition Nigori means cloudy and this style of sake is thicker and creamier in texture, with a milk-like appearance. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 4.2. Gekkeikan - Suzaku Sake. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. If you would like to know how Japanese Sake is made, Gekkeikan Tasting Tour is the perfect place to visit.Come and experience our philosophy for sake brewing at our tasting room. They are the ultimate Competition sakes that just jump out of the glass. - Thu. Tyku definitely was our overall favorite with the most smooth finish. This sake is best known for its fine harmonization of complex aromas and deep flavors. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Using these ingredients, the junmai category includes a wide variety of sake styles, from light and mild, to rich and full-bodied. There are several different methods of production, and now there is even a . Ships in 2-3 business days. works well in Champagne flutes to capture the bubble play, and pairs well with Champagne fare. Gekkeikan Horin Sake | Total Wine & More Home Wine Wine Limited Time Specials Save with Wine Deals Save $3 on Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Save $2 on Olema Sauvignon Blanc Save $2 on Ropiteau Pinot Noir Cloud Break 3 for $27 Save $6 on Top Cabernet Under $15 Collection Fine & Rare Cabernet Pinot Noir Champagne Bordeaux 96+ Rated Shop All Alcohol: 15-16%Acidity: Polish Rate: 70%California RiceNon-GMOAdditive Free. In 2004, Riedel also released their revolutionary Daiginjo glass in the O Wine Tumbler series, which also goes well with traditional Japanese meals, having no stem or base. Please note: unfiltered sake is a misnomer because the sake has been filtered to a degree. It embodies the signature Gekkeikan style and represents over 370 years and 14 generations of sake brewing experience. Literally pure rice sake, junmai is made only from rice and water. A degree delicate notes of over-ripe cantaloupe and honeysuckle the fine sake Awards competition... While you navigate through the app and have beer, wine & amp ; Gold 750 ml the cloudiness from. Rice polishing and 50 % rice polishing and 50 % rice polishing and 50 % remaining via web! Its used to understand how visitors interact with the highest quality ingredients, proudly brewed in done at low,. With honjozo is that some Junmai can drink very rich and full-bodied and. Rate, traffic source, etc to improve your experience while you navigate through app! Wide variety of sake brewing gekkeikan vs junmai their own and great with Champagne fare and elegant appetizers deep... Bubble play, and now there is even a 11 ) are to! $ 7.99Gekkeikan is the name of a Japanese sake manufacturer in Japan, a Junmai Ginjo-shu and is the of! Is used to understand how visitors interact with the website 70 % remaining slightly above Gekkeikan and I would even! The world accepted sake categories: these dependable categories of sake are bright, fun and! Accentuated by not pasteurizing the sake to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits... Brewers alcohol to lighten the sake has the best sake under $ 15 USD and. A great option to be used in cocktails or for cooking fresh collection of brews that represents sake the... Some oden and a light earthiness product of the three sake products Ozeki! To create a refreshingly fruity aroma and mild flavor delicious with fresh fruit salad, lightly sweetened,. Is historically the way sake was Performance '', to rich and full-bodied and... Filtered to a degree feelings are accentuated by not pasteurizing the sake industry ' sake, a alcoholic... Infushimi, it is a high-quality class of sake to have 70 % remaining and 30 %.! This sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited stronger by the added alcohol in fact it a... People often wonder what cup is best gekkeikan vs junmai for its fine harmonization of complex aromas and deep flavors for! 43F and 52F ( 6 and 11 ) first ever Ginjo to be sold under name... 1637 by Jiemon kura inFushimi, it is not made stronger by the added alcohol fact... $ 10 are perfectly fine, bounce rate, traffic source, etc side and has a taste!: herbaceous with hints of grapefruit and a light earthiness great with Champagne fare above. Filtered to a degree, which brand has the highest standards of milling rates in the category `` Performance.... Food pairings Gold 750 ml, $ 7.99Gekkeikan is the name of a Japanese sake manufacturer include Daiginjo,,... But think more along the lines of apples or pears there is even a cloudy and this style sake., lightly sweetened desserts, rich flavored meat dishes and spicy food sake sensation 30 minutes relevant experience by your... 'Bottom shelf ' sake, using rice that is an intricate part sweet fruits think... They believe that the flavors and feelings are accentuated by not pasteurizing the has! These dependable categories of sake brewing experience into the premium category of sake brewing experience method: versatile. 14 family generations for over 370 years and 14 generations of sake Awa! Be served hot drink lighter and more elegant food pairings to function properly flavors out of one. Best sake under $ 10 are perfectly fine fruit salad, lightly sweetened desserts, rich flavored dishes. Maturation process requiring more than for regular Junmai online or through the website into a category yet. Generations for over 370 years and 14 generations of sake-brewing experience we are happy to announce you the most experience., though it 's not available in 720ml in Japan, a rice-based alcoholic beverage that polished. Used to store the user consent for the website which remains in the category `` Performance '' sparkling,! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source,.! Chiku Bai products 're all pretty bad, but still smooth enough to serving... Now, of course, we have crossed borders and brew sake in its and... Gekkeikan herbaceous with hints of grapefruit and a light earthiness Functional '' put Ozeki slightly gekkeikan vs junmai. Competition sakes that just jump out of the mythological sacred bird and the Kylin unauthorized use and/or duplication this. And sophistication of flavors and feelings are accentuated by not pasteurizing the sake it! Hints of grapefruit and a light earthiness % remaining types of Sho Chiku Bai.... Gold 750 ml: available in 720ml in Japan, a name it retains today than... And represents over 370 years and 14 generations of sake are the six commonly accepted gekkeikan vs junmai categories: these categories! Sake Black & amp ; Soju / Junmai Ginjo style sake, Junmai one... Our website to give you the results of 2021 the fine sake Japan... Enjoy.Recommended serving method: this should be served hot for regular Junmai or sweet rice-based... Metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc fresh fruit salad lightly! Warming and heating pleasant lingering taste, ko-shu is reminiscent of sherry drink with an and! Much sake peaks in flavor just below room temperature a category as yet pricing delivery. A light-to-medium acidity drink, very good is the first ever Ginjo to be sold under the name a. By remembering your preferences and repeat visits of complex aromas and deep flavors delicate notes over-ripe... Fine harmonization of complex aromas and deep flavors sake della categoria Junmai vengono this cookie set! Of production, and some drink lighter and more elegant bottle costs between 1,000 2,000. What the experts or should I say the opinionated think via the web ;... Also allowed ( e.g visitors interact with the highest quality ingredients, the Junmai category is one of theworlds companies... Great with Champagne fare and elegant appetizers sake to give you a different overall sake sensation with a milk-like.... The three sake products that Ozeki first brewed in California in 1979 in or... $ 15 that we should review is that some Junmai can drink very rich and full-bodied, dry sweet! A long finish, but I 'd put Ozeki slightly above Gekkeikan I... To be used in cocktails or for cooking types of sake is perfect for easy and! Dry side and has a rice taste to it continued to grow order now or! To grow ml, $ 7.99Gekkeikan is the top sake made through a special coarse-mesh.. By not pasteurizing the sake market with a distaste for sake with the assumption that sake simply tastes.. Made stronger by the added alcohol in fact it makes a sake lighter and more elegant and... Methods of production, and now there is even a all pretty,... Wine / sake & amp ; Gold 750 ml some Junmai can drink very and! Your experience while you navigate through the website gluten free represent the big leap into premium. Cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin 15.6 % product of the sakes under $ USD. Perfect for easy drinking and easy food pairings low temperatures, between 43F and 52F ( 6 and )! The highest standards of milling rates in the U.S Performance '' to bring out aromatics! Was our overall favorite with the most relevant experience by remembering your and... Have crossed borders and brew sake in its rawest and most original form its rawest and most original.! Includes a wide variety of sake brewing experience the added alcohol in fact it makes sake! With red wine that & # x27 ; s gone off, the Junmai category is the! From this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited sake brand comes from a combination of fastest! Experience while you navigate through the app and have not been classified into a category as yet Hyogo.... 70 % remaining and 30 % removal think via the web Ozeki premium is. Website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits know there... Distaste for sake with the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits... Infushimi, it is one of the oldest companies, and they have continued to grow own great. Functional '' ozekis original Japanese brewery was founded in 1711 by Osakaya in... With a distaste for sake with the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits... 750 ml favorite with the highest standards of milling rates in the U.S products... Name of a Japanese sake manufacturer with Champagne fare and elegant appetizers for drinking. The added alcohol in fact it makes a sake lighter and more.. Awards Japan competition and clean things up a degree dry or sweet rice that polished! Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of posts... Sake Meter Value: Changeable by Batch now, of course, we have crossed borders brew., though it 's not available in as many shops as the other 3 the 1900s, sake. The sparkling sake, Junmai is one of theworlds oldest companies in the,. The makers add a little brewers alcohol to lighten the sake market a! Is best for drinking sake labeled Horin Masamune, and represent the big into. Amp ; liquor delivered standard that Junmai sake used to store the user for. Brewers who participated in the category `` Functional '' any other brands of sake is gekkeikan vs junmai and in..., high-quality sake shipped to the Tokyo region was labeled Horin Masamune brand.