Norman

9.3

Jōzen Mizunogotoshi Hiyaoroshi (上善如水 ひやおろし), a seasonal release from Shirataki Sake Brewery in Niigata. This was all part of our Sake Day 2025 experience. We only tasted 60ish sakes out of an estimated 450, so a small fraction of what was available. While I attempted to rinse the glass with water and stay hydrated it’s difficult to fairly rate in this environment and I use it solely as a time to try a wide variety and interact with the brands. This is top quartile. I would search this out. Never seen a red bottle before but it works. Btw the somm here was from LA and next level. Really great explanation, info, loved it. — a month ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Rosé! Hibiscus, umeboshi plum, pink lemonade. Paired with sashimi and the Survivor finale cause we’re trash humans. Crafted in Bushwick by Shinobu Kato. — a year ago

Graham Jenkins

8.9

Like this a lot. The sweetness is a touch more than I normally like, but it works without overwhelming. Nice and rounded — 8 years ago

with Jasmine

Norman

9.1

Born “Dreams Come True” is a Junmai Daiginjo from Kato Kichibee Shoten in Fukui Prefecture. It’s aged for five years at –5 °C (some sources mention –8 °C). This is supposed to be one of the top Born sakes and it would be interesting to try with a couple others side by side. It’s a liter bottle and when it got opened it was on the cold side. As it warmed and opened up you can see why people call it flamboyant. It becomes a big, powerful sake with big flavors and a long finish. Heavy weight on the palate but very smooth and as they say velvety. It was nice but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it - not sure why other than maybe how it started out which was a bit sharp, angular and lean. Need to pull these earlier. — 2 months ago

Carter White

9.1

Smooth, soft, and clean, with a bit of melon. — 3 years ago

Mark Rosse

9.3

When you get by the look of drinking pastis it works quite well. — 9 years ago

Noren Kawakami

10

Emperor Sake... — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. PNP'd. Heavy bod. Definitely interesting blend and it works. The 15.1% not super-Paso obvious but you just know it'll show up at some point down the road. Tannins no shrinking violet here yet not as fearsome as one might suspect. Pretty good balance now interspersed with spice cameos and the nagging suspicions that another 4-5 years will find this in the sweet spot. Pick up a few bottles for variety's/varietals sake. 10.26.24. — a year ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.3

Chapter X. New school producer shaking things up in the works of sake. First course. Sake Drinker dinner. — 7 years ago

John Rieber

9.6

Smooth as silk and works perfectly with sushi! — 10 years ago

with Alex