Greetings, Nomidachi!
 "Happenings?" Have we got some "sake happenings" for you!
Movin' on (up?)
As some of you may be aware, sometime this past June we marked our 13 year anniversary (more on how we intend to celebrate with YOU in a minute) in our spot on South Washington Street, and what is it the Deadheads say? "What a long, strange trip it's been?" Well, yeah, it's been something like that. Economic recessions? Check. Endless construction and disappearance of parking for patrons? Check. Let's not even dignify the current pandemic with a mention. Oops.
Anyway, there have been lots of changes to the neighborhood, but the one whose influence we are currently most feeling is the sale and plans for redevelopment of the building Saké Nomi currently occupies. Yes, the sale took place a while back, and we've known our lease would come to an end for quite some time now. And, though the days of 2020 have seemed to drag on and blend one into another so that it's difficult to keep track of days of the week, let alone significant dates, the time draws nigh: our lease is up at the end of this month, and Saké Nomi is moving.
But, not to worry nor panic, trusted Nomidachi! While we will save some of the details for later, for now just know that we are relocating a scant couple blocks away, remaining in Seattle's original downtown neighborhood, Pioneer Square. While moving is never much fun, we are excited about the opportunities the new space presents, and we're doing our best to stay calm, present, Zen, etc., and remain open to the possibilities and adventures ahead.
We could use your help, though. Sure, if anyone wants to volunteer some muscle or logistical expertise for the physical move, we'll be glad to have the help, and you know there will be some premium "fuel" to keep energy and spirits high. But, more than that, we could use your assistance in "lightening our load." So, we're proposing:
Saké Nomi Moving Sale & Inventory "Liquification?"
October 17-27
As our impending move necessitates us curtailing our inventory purchases and trying to clear the shelves as much as possible, we invite you to come down and peruse (or email or call to inquire, of course) our wares anytime, but especially during our sale: October 17-27. Special pricing includes:
10% discount on 3-5 bottles (mix & match sizes, brands)
15% discount on 6 or more bottles (mix & match sizes, brands)
(Please note: We will continue to accept "custom orders" of cases, special bottles, etc. for pick up thru October 24 (Sat.), based on distributor stock availability. So, if you'd like to squirrel away some favorites or standard "house" sake to hold you over during the brief (we hope, fingers crossed!) period between our closing and the grand reopening at the new spot, we'll work to swing you a deal to make it worth your while.)
PS: If any of you would like to come down and snap some commemorative pics before we start tearing the place apart in earnest at the end of the month, please feel free to do so. If you feel the need to set up a time, please call, but we'll make sure to keep everything socially distanced, masked up, and safe.
Save the Date!
Saké Nomi 13th Anniversary/Moving Celebration
Saturday, October 24 @ 6pm (via Zoom)
Wouldn't you know it? Our 13th anniversary would, of course, occur in 2020. Well, if you need an excuse to drink some good sake and virtually socialize, we'd be honored and humbled if you join us on Saturday, October 24. We're still working on the logistics, but we will update you in the coming days via newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram.
If you're available, it would be great to see your faces and have a few cups of camaraderie and Kanpai!
We feel like we're always leaning on you for support, but it's impossible for us to imagine opening Saké Nomi in Seattle and surviving these past 13-plus years without you. We will always struggle to adequately express our gratitude and affection, but THANK YOU!
Please come along with us, as we embark on this next chapter in Saké Nomi's story.
Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko
This Week's Featured Sake Selections
With the continued theme of featuring some of our (and YOUR) all-time favorites, but including some new rarities as they become available, some of the week's sake highlights look like this:
 Naginata Junmai Daiginjo (Oregon, USA)
Extremely limited production (584 hand-numbered bottles) of an American made sake aspiring to be “the greatest sake ever produced outside of Japan.” Soft gold coloring, with a gentle viscosity to the mouthfeel. Notes of caramel, butterscotch and anise on the palate. Brewed in Oregon, using highly milled (40%) Yamada Nishiki sake rice grown in Arkansas.
$70/720 ml bottle
(NOTE: Our initial allotment of this rare brew arrives tomorrow, 10/14, and we've already sold over half the bottles we expect to receive. If you want to try it, or can save it for a pretty fantastic gift, don't snooze and lose!)
 Born Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Daiginjo (Fukui)
Fragrant, fruity, lively, and rich with notes of cinnamon and figs. A Japanese vocabulary lesson of a junmai daiginjo, with a serious case of the “un”s: unfiltered (muroka), unpasteurized (nama), and undiluted (genshu). If you don't know, you really should. $70/720 ml bottle
Tsukinowa Yoinotsuki “Midnight Moon” Daiginjo (Iwate)
Amber tint, with notes of honey in aroma and taste. An element of depth in the earthy, caramel sweetness. Complex and quiet, soft and melting. Brewed in Johnnie’s Japanese “hometown” by one of his former English students – one of the few female toji (master brewer) in the industry! $48/720 ml bottle
Tedorikawa Kinka “Gold Blossom” Daiginjo (Ishikawa)
Floral nose, with notes reminiscent of dates and raisins. Mild spice, minerality, and cinnamon notes on the palate. Subtly layered, soft and settled. Deep, rich, mature, and mellow, especially for a namazake. Featured in the documentary, The Birth of Saké. $45/720 ml bottle
Choryo Yoshinosugi no Taruzake Futsu-shu
Pronounced golden hue, with deep, rich wood aromas and a hint of chocolate in the nose. Notes of maple and brown sugar sweetness on the palate. Nice, full-bodied balance. This is the first taruzake (cedar barrel aged sake) to have been bottled for commercial sale, back in 1964.
Price: $30/720 ml
Choryo Omachi Tokubetsu Junmai
The notes for the "old" version read: "Faint golden tint, with earthy, yeasty aromas. Soft and light, with a hint of butterscotch and toffee on the palate. Settled (aged for 30 months in the bottle), and rounds out nicely and is comforting when warm (room temp might be best). Fantastic 'daily drinker' that provides great value and 'bang for your buck.'" The "new" version, which arrived last week, has been low-temp bottle aged for SEVEN YEARS! Price: $30/720 ml
Choryo Yoshinosugi no Taruzake Omachi Yamahai Junmai
 Pretty significant yellow coloring, with aromas of cedar, brown sugar, and faint licorice. Soft, slightly viscous mouthfeel, with a definite mild koshu (aged sake) element present. We think it shows its best stuff at room temperature or slightly warmer.
Price: $40/720 ml bottle
 Tsukinowa Kinen “Memorial” Futsu-shu (Iwate)
Light and soft. Soft yellowish tint. Slightly bitter cantaloupe and melon notes on palate. An easy drinking “session saké,” said to be much loved by the local folks. Johnnie doesn’t remember drinking it when he lived there, but there are a few years of his Japanese sojourn that are a little fuzzy . . . $55/1.8 L bottle; $35/720 ml bottle (new size!)
|
