Konnichi wa, Nomidachi!

A quick refresher on what hiyaoroshi is all about:  While most saké undergoes two pasteurizations (once before the six-month ageing period, and once again before being bottled, prior to shipment), the hiyaoroshi are released in autumn, when temperatures have cooled a bit, and forego the second pasteurization.  This allows them to retain hints of the freshness and "zing" of namazake (unpasteurized saké).

One of our favorite hiyaoroshi style sake arrives this week: Shichi Hon Yari Hiyaoroshi "Autumn Assassin."  Don't let the English moniker scare you -- we promise it's safe!  From Shiga prefecture, the 15th generation owner of this brewery and his 4-person crew are committed to using only local ingredients, including the Yamada Nishiki rice used to brew this sake.

Price: $45/720 ml bottle (10% “case” discount for orders of 6 or more bottles)

Order by: 6 pm today, Wednesday, Oct. 10

In-store: Friday, Oct. 12

New, Limited Release Sake: Masumi Hiyaoroshi
One of the most popular brews at our recent "Meet the Brewers" event was the Masumi Hiyaoroshi Yamahai Junmai Ginjo.  Unfortunately, we didn't have any bottles available for sale at that time, but we have good access to it now and are featuring it on the current menu.

This very limited release sake has a quince aroma, with a soft, delicate body and mild yamahai astringency.  We think it's very wine-like, with a dryish finish.  Definitely one of our current favorites!  Price: $50/720 ml bottle

We’re also pleased to let you know that the recent phenomenally popular Phoenix Junmai Daiginjo will also be delivered to us Friday, 10/12.  Originally, we thought we’d be lucky to see another delivery of this sake from our distributor before the end of the year, but they hustled and pulled some strings for us.  If you need a reminder about what this delicious sake is all about . . .

Special, Limited Edition Sake: Tatenokawa “Phoenix” Junmai Daiginjo
“Phoenix” is the result of a collaboration between the French pop rock band, Phoenix, and Yamagata brewery, Tatenokawa (a brewery that ONLY produces junmai daiginjo grade sake).

Phoenix is a nakadori, which means they used only the middle portion of the mash pressing (the most delicate and valued part) for this bottling.

An explanation about what makes the sake so rare and special can be found here: http://www.konbini.com/us/entertainment/phoenix-releasing-limited-edition-sake-toshiro-kuroda/

We noticed a complex mix of blackberry, mint, lavender, tree bark, and mulch in the nose.  Phoenix is light, lively, and lissome on the palate, with pitch-perfect acidity.  It's making a lot of noise in the sake world, and we understand why: it's freaking delicious!

We will receive at least 12 bottles, but we’re hoping to have access to another case, and will begin pouring the sake here at the shop when it arrives.  The last time we had this sake, it literally flew off the shelves, so if you’d like us to hold any for you, please contact us ASAP!

Price: $60/720 ml bottle

Order by: Noon, Thursday, Oct. 11

In-store: Friday, Oct. 12

Thanks for reading.  We hope to raise a glass of the good stuff with you real soon!

Greetings, Nomidachi!

Inspired by an article about this brewery (est. 1804) in a recent Japanese brewing periodical, we are excited to present this elegant daiginjo (the first commercially produced by Kokuryu and introduced to the Japanese market in 1975) for your consideration this weekend (beginning today!), 10/4- 10/6.

"Gold Dragon" has apple notes in the nose, with hints of cinnamon and brown sugar on the palate.  It is pleasingly complex and, again, elegant.  The bottle's funky neck shape enhances the acoustics of the sake being poured, and the cloth embroidered label and gift box presentation are just icing on this fantastic cake.  Price: $100/720 ml bottle


(Please Note: While availability of this sake is somewhat limited, we'll be glad to take orders and hold the sake for you, in case you can't join us this weekend.)

The article we read mentioned Kokuryu's president's efforts to promote sake drinking "culture," and in an effort to support Kokuryu and help make this fairly expensive sake more approachable to our Seattle friends, we'll be pouring it by the glass at a special Saketoberfest discount price at the bar. 

Please stay tuned for the availability of other tasty brews (including the return of Phoenix!!) and fun sake-related activities (movie night, etc.) in the days ahead.

Thanks for reading.  We hope to see you at Saké Nomi again soon.

Arigatou, and Kanpai!