Konnichi wa, Nomidachi!

Seikyo “Omachi” Namazake Tokubetsu Junmai (Hiroshima)             One of our most popular seasonal selections!  Soft & citrusy, with a luxurious, almost viscous mouthfeel.  Notes of grapefruit and lemon throughout, creating a wonderful, beguiling contrast between the sharpness of the acidic citrus elements and the silky texture.  Traces of minerality and astringency on the edges make it an ideal pairing for oysters on the half-shell.  Absolutely perfect thirst quencher during warmer weather.

Brewed with Omachi rice, the oldest recognized sakamai (“saké rice”), discovered at the tail end of the Edo era (1603-1868).  Omachi is often referred to as maboroshi,meaning “phantasmic” or “mystical,” having to do with the difficulties involved in cultivating it and the superlative saké it can produce.
Price:  $55/720 ml bottle (10% discount on orders of 6 or more bottles)
ETA: In stock now

Masumi Arabashiri Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu
Saké Nomi’s most popular limited seasonal release returns!  Fruity (melons and pears) and full-bodied, with a pleasantly crisp acidity.  This nama (unpasteurized) genshu (undiluted saké) also packs a lovingly assertive punch at 17-18% alcohol.
Price: $50/720 ml (10% discount on orders of 6 or more bottles)
ETA: In stock now

Shichida Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama Genshu
This will be a brand-new-to-Washington arrival, and we couldn’t be more excited.  The green label Shichida Junmai has been a favorite since we got access to it a couple years back, and this will be the first namazake from Kyushu we’ve been able to procure.  I only tasted a 2 oz. sample of it a couple months ago, but it really knocked me out.  Intensely lively and flavorful, but with an elegant vivaciousness.  ‘Sorry if the description is a little vague and over the top, but it made a forceful impression, and I have yet to spend some “quality time” with a bottle and do some notes.  Again, if you’re a fan of the junmai, I think you’ll be well pleased.  Because it’s a little pricier than most namazake, the distributor made a very conservative order with the importer, so it will be in scarce supply, and again, we will pour and sell it ’til it’s gone.
Price: $80/720 ml bottle (10% discount on orders of 6 or more bottles)
ETA: In-store Friday, May 26

Hakkaisan Yukimuro Junmai Ginjo
As you may be aware, Hakkaisan is one of the most famous and revered brand names in the Japanese sake brewing world.  Their sakes are consistently among the most popular and highly rated brews in sake specialty pubs throughout the country.

A yukimuro is a snow igloo of sorts that has been used for centuries as a method to preserve foods year-round.  Hakkaisan has matured this junmai ginjo in their yukimuro at an approximate temperature of 3 degrees Celsius for three years.  I was able to taste a small sample a couple months ago, and it tasted like divinely delicate and mildly fruity melting snow.  

This sake was only recently released in Japan, and the volume exported to the U.S. is miniscule.  Our distributor managed to get us a case when it first made its way to our shores, and it was immediately snapped up by our nomidachi "in the know."

More details about the sake and process can be found here: http://www.hakkaisan.com/our-products/junmai-ginjo-hakkaisan-yukimuro-chozo-3-years/
Price: $110/720 ml bottle
ETA: In-store Friday, May 26

Greetings, Nomidachi!

In recognition of Seattle Beer Week, we are very excited to welcome our friend, Yuji Murai of Orcas Distributing, for an evening of Japanese jibiiru tasting on Friday, May 12 from 5 pm.

Just as jizake is local/craft sake, jibiiru is craft/microbrew beer, and has definitely become a "thing" these past few years in Japan.

The beers we will be featuring this Friday are ones we feel are uniquely Japanese due to some of their unusual/bizarre/crazy ingredients.  Featured beers will include ones made with roasted chestnuts, gardenias and sweet potatoes, bonito flakes, and one aged in Japanese whisky barrels.

Tasting will start around 5 pm on Friday night.  The tasting fee is $5/person, and will be waived with any purchase of beer or sake that evening.

(Fukui)
We just received the last case of the 2017 allotment yesterday, so while there will be other seasonal release namazake this year, they will NOT be this one.  This nama (unpasteurized) genshu (undiluted) has a brilliant golden hue with a gorgeous floral and candied bouquet.  Richly flavored, with intense ripe peach fruitiness on the palate.  Viscous, almost syrupy texture is nicely contrasted with perfect acidity.

Kasumi Tsuru Shiboritate Yamahai Nama Chozo Futsushu (Hyogo)    
Brand new to Washington limited seasonal release!  Light gold tending toward amber tint.  Yeasty, bread-like aroma, with a soft, light mouthfeel.  Mildly sweet in the beginning palate, ending in a drier (slightly boozy --18% ABV) finish.  Traces of yamahai tanginess on the edges.  Good "cost performance"/bang for your buck.
 $35/720 ml bottle


Fukuju “Green Label” Junmai (Hyogo)                                   New to Washington! Rich gold coloring, with yeasty, bread (sourdough) notes in the nose.  Soft, slightly grainy mouthfeel.  Medium body with a dry finish. 

Saké Nomi Cinema: Saturday, May 13 @ 8 pm
If you like premium sake with your cinema (and, who doesn't), and you enjoy documentaries and samurai movies, we think you'll want to be at Saké Nomi this Saturday night.

Because we're a little murky on the licensing/legalities, we won't reveal much here, but if you don't trust us (whaaaaaaat?), send us a message, stop by, or give us a call, and we'll fill you in.

Thanks very much for reading.

Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko