About Kimoto Junmai Sake

About Kimoto Junmai Sake
Kimoto Junmai Sake follows the production rules for Junmai (sake made from water, koji, yeast, rice, and nothing more) but uses a traditional brewing technique of creating the yeast starter mash. The Kimoto method is very labor intensive and requires twice as much time in comparison to modern methods to complete the yeast starter. This method is still used by some breweries today, and results in a more robust, wilder and gamier sake.

Top Picks for Kimoto Junmai Sake

Kurosawa Junmai Kimoto Sake
94 points
$20
Best Buy
Kurosawa
Junmai Kimoto Sake
Pale straw color. Aromas and flavors of cashew toffee, custard, candied pineapple, sweet vanilla yogurt, cocoa powder, and dried apple with a satiny, lively, fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, interesting, medium-length finish manifesting impressions of aged charcuterie finish. A juicy, full-flavor Kimoto; pair with spicy fare.
94 points $20 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Kurosawa Junmai Kimoto Sake
93 points
$25
Kurosawa
Junmai Kimoto Sake
Brilliant emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of bananas foster, mangoes on a stick with chili powder, lipstick, and smoked herbs with a satiny, bright, fruity medium body and a warming, amusing, medium-long finish that shows suggestions of spiced apples with caramelized bacon, coconut custard, cashew fruit, and honeyed jicama and endive finish. A savory and appealing and finely balanced kimoto that will be very versatile.
93 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Hatsumago Junmai Kimoto Sake
90 points
$27
Hatsumago
Junmai Kimoto Sake
Silver color. Aromas and flavors of slate, licorice, sarsaparilla, and honey with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a sleek, interesting, medium-long finish that presents nuances of béchamel, flint, and cracked pepper finish. A distinctive Kimoto Junmai with dark spice character and great pairing possibilities; try with beef.
90 points $27
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Date Tasted:
Tohoku Meijo Hatsumago Kimoto Junmai Sake
86 points
$25
Tohoku Meijo
Hatsumago Kimoto Junmai Sake
Light white gold color. Aromas and flavors of milk chocolate caramel bonbon, coconut macaron, rain water, and brunost with a soft, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish evoking notes of honey almond butter, sweet potato, and powdered sugar finish. A pleasant and satisfying kimoto.
86 points $25
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