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US Sake
Reviews for 2016

August 2016 - US Sake

August 2016 - US Sake
This month's Wine feature is US Sake Wines

US Sake Reviews

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Kenbishi Mizuho Junmai
96 points
$38
Kenbishi
Mizuho Junmai
Bright straw color. Complex, umami meaty aromas and flavors of tamari, beef bouillon, marinated mushrooms, and roasted plantains with a silky, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, epic, long finish revealing notes of hint of latte and cocoa, spicy roasted chestnuts, and cocoa cream finish. A rich and savory sake that brings a suitcase of umami to the party.
96 points $38
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Date Tasted:
Okunomatsu Tokubetsu Junmai
95 points
$26
Okunomatsu
Tokubetsu Junmai
Pale white gold color. Tropical aromas and flavors of ripe pineapple, nougat, and delicate sweet and peppery spices with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, long finish that presents notes of cantaloupe salad, radish sprouts, young coconut, and turmeric tea finish. A rich, fruity, and satisfying junmai that is a benchmark of the category.
95 points $26
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Date Tasted:
Mizbasho Ginjo Sake
94 points
$25
Mizbasho
Ginjo Sake
White gold color. Fruity aromas and flavors of tropical fruit salad, honeyed apple, tapioca, and anise with a satiny, crisp, fruity medium body and an interesting, medium-length finish with notes of coconut water and spicy baked banana finish. A wonderfully refreshing sake that will liven up any meal or get together and will appeal to Chardonnay drinkers.
94 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Mizbasho Junmai Daiginjo
93 points
$29
Mizbasho
Junmai Daiginjo
Pale silvery emerald straw color. Fruity aromas and flavors of pineapple husk, asian pear, and anise seed with a satiny, bright, fruity medium body and an even, refreshing, medium-length finish that exhibits suggestions of nectarine custard, spiced melon, radish, and ginger finish. A delightfully fruity and delicate spicy daiginjo.
93 points $29
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Date Tasted:
Yaegaki "Mu" Junmai Daiginjo
93 points
$30
Yaegaki
"Mu" Junmai Daiginjo
Pale silvery straw color. Earthy aromas and flavors of waxy honeycomb and apple, macadamia brittle, fennel, and leaves with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long finish imparting accents of coconut milk, papaya custard, and water chestnut finish. A rich, round and creamy sake with interesting savory, earthy nuances.
93 points $30
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Date Tasted:
Ichishima Junmai Sake
93 points
$35
Ichishima
Junmai Sake
Silvery straw color. Creamy, minerally aromas and flavors of clay pot, ground nuts, toasted coconut milk, and banana leaf with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a polished, engaging, medium-length finish with notes of sweet cream, caramelized pear, and dried pineapple finish. A lively and attractive sake that will cover a lot of bases.
93 points $35
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Date Tasted:
Yaegaki "Mu" Black Label Junmai Daiginjo
93 points
$50
Yaegaki
"Mu" Black Label Junmai Daiginjo
Brilliant silvery emerald straw color. Buttery, candied floral piney aromas and flavors of rice pudding, cinnamon roll, dried tropical fruits, and dusty balsa with a silky, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, involved, medium-long finish with shades of coconut cream, delicate spiced nuts, and pepper finish. A fruity, engaging sake.
93 points $50
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Date Tasted:
Watanabe Sake Brewing Co. Ltd. "Horai Kaden Tedukuri" Junmai Ginjo Sake
92 points
$11
Best Buy
Watanabe Sake Brewing Co. Ltd.
"Horai Kaden Tedukuri" Junmai Ginjo Sake
Clear color. Tropical aromas and flavors of ripe pineapple and papaya, baked coconut, anise seed, and goat’s milk with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and an even, compelling, medium-long finish evoking nuances of sweet cream, spicy almond brittle, radish, and hint caramelized bacon finish. A vibrantly delicious tropical fruit-driven sake that is sure to please.
92 points $11 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Hatsumago Junmai Sake
91 points
$20
Hatsumago
Junmai Sake
Silvery emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of almond nougat, coconut water, melon and papaya, and kohlrabi with a silky, bright, dryish light body and a smooth, carefree finish manifesting accents of hint of anise finish. A very clean and flavorful junmai with excellent balance and length.
91 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Kurosawa Junmai Kimoto Sake
90 points
$20
Kurosawa
Junmai Kimoto Sake
Medium straw color. Green, creamy aromas and flavors of dried citrus and melon in cream, bamboo, greek yogurt, and caulk with a silky, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, breezy finish that shows accents of honey baked apple, jicama, and green pineapple and coconut finish. An appetizing sake for the table.
90 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Kenbishi Kuromatsu Honjozo Sake
90 points
$35
Kenbishi
Kuromatsu Honjozo Sake
Silvery straw color. Interesting, umami aromas and flavors of marinated mushrooms, cacao nib, hint of tamari, and rice cake with a satiny, vibrant, medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length finish conveying suggestions of chocolate coconut milk, jicama, and radish finish. An intriguing cocoa-accented sake with great table appeal.
90 points $35
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Date Tasted:
Ichishima Junmai Daiginjo Sake
90 points
$70
Ichishima
Junmai Daiginjo Sake
White gold color. Grainy aromas and flavors of rice flakes, baked pear in cream, almond skin, and hint of crayon with a bright, dryish light-to-medium body and a tingling, relaxed finish that exhibits overtones of peppered jicama, rice pudding with powdered sugar, and cashew brittle finish. A pleasant, relaxing sake with a nice creaminess.
90 points $70
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Date Tasted:
Shichiken Junmai Sake
89 points
$26
Shichiken
Junmai Sake
White gold color. Interesting, exotic smoky aromas of grilled pineapple and mango, toasted herbs, pickled melon rind, and cashew fruit with a satiny, fruity medium-to-full body and a graceful, complex, medium-long spiced melon in cream and overripe yellow apple finish. A buoyant and flavorful junmai with a pleasing creamy, roundness.
89 points $26
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Date Tasted:
Hananomai Junmai Ginjo Sake
88 points
$20
Hananomai
Junmai Ginjo Sake
Emerald straw color. Toasty aromas and flavors of coconut macaroon and taffy, caramel nougat nut bar, powdered milk, and hint of latex and clay with a soft, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, refreshing, snappy finish that presents notes of horchata, melon in cream, daikon, and hint of green mint tea finish. A solid, well made junmai ginjo.
88 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Four Fox Junmai Daiginjo Sake
88 points
$60
Four Fox
Junmai Daiginjo Sake
White gold color. Dusty aromas and flavors of powdered milk and almond flour with a silky, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and an effortless, charming, snappy finish with elements of papaya, cream of rice cereal, and cashew fruit finish. An interesting grain-forward daiginjo.
88 points $60
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Date Tasted:
Ichishima Ginnoyorokobi Daiginjo
88 points
$170
Ichishima
Ginnoyorokobi Daiginjo
Silver color. Dusty, earthy aromas and flavors of gravel, mushroom, vanilla yogurt, and bark with a silky, bright, fruity light-to-medium body and an engaging, medium-length finish conveying impressions of dried papaya, coconut milk, and mulch finish.
88 points $170
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Date Tasted:
Yaegaki Kurobin Black Bottle
87 points
$20
Yaegaki
Kurobin Black Bottle
Pale white gold color. Fruity aromas and flavors of asian pear, buttermilk, honeyed nuts, and coconut water with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, delightful, easy finish manifesting nuances of apple, starfruit, and water chestnut finish. A savory and nicely structured sake that will go great with tempura.
87 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Yaegaki Draft Sake
85 points
$5
Best Buy
Yaegaki
Draft Sake
Silvery emerald straw color. Umami aromas and flavors of overripe melon and papaya, seaweed salad, honeyed potato peel, and marinated mushrooms with a round, bright, fruity medium body and a smooth, compelling, buoyant finish with notes of melon balls, creamy rice pudding, nougat, and radish sprouts finish. A round, savory sake sipper.
85 points $5 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Ichishima Silk Deluxe Junmai Sake
85 points
$32
Ichishima
Silk Deluxe Junmai Sake
White gold color. Savory, umami aromas and flavors of marinated mushrooms, macadamia brittle, toasted meringue, and dried pear with a supple, off-dry medium body and a tingling, compelling, medium-length finish that shows elements of powdered sugared pineapple and peach, persimmon, and coconut rice pudding finish. A notably sweet and fruity sake that will pair nicely with spicy foods or desserts.
85 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Ichishima Tokubetsu Honjozo Sake
85 points
$32
Ichishima
Tokubetsu Honjozo Sake
Silver color. Earthy aromas and flavors of dusty sweet potato, lemon-lavender talc, and roasted chestnuts with a bright, dry medium body and a smooth, brisk finish with notes of melon ride and hint of citrus finish. A light and round sake for carefree enjoyment.
85 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Makiri Junmai Ginjo
84 points
$20
Makiri
Junmai Ginjo
Silvery straw color. Aromas and flavors of dried papaya and mango, nutskin, and leafy earth with a silky, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and an even, engaging, breezy finish with notes of delicate spice, rice pudding, fruit pith, and egg shell finish. A pleasant ginjo quaffer.
84 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Ichishima Seishu Sake
84 points
$27
Ichishima
Seishu Sake
Light silver color. Citrusy, fruity aromas and flavors of plantain, bamboo, and macadamia nut with a lightly tannic, crisp, fruity light body and a sleek, relaxed finish evoking nuances of melon rind, daikon, papaya, and rice paper finish. A solid sake for the table.
84 points $27
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Date Tasted:
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