Norman

9.0

Kudoki Jōzu Junmai Ginjo
• Brewer: Kamenoi Shuzō Co., Ltd. (Yamagata, Japan) 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.Thin — a month ago

S.S. Mandani

9.4

Equivalent to natural wine. Unfiltered, not nigori. So good! — a year ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Ota jh3 08/2015 — 6 years ago

romo

9.1

Sushi Ota. — 6 years ago

Norman

9.0

This sake is Kido (喜多酒造) – Junmai Ginjo Bessen (別誂 純米吟醸).
• Brewery: Kido Shuzō (喜多酒造), located in Shiga Prefecture.
• Label details: The large green kanji on the front is 「喜多」 (Kido), the brewery’s name. The vertical writing on the right side says 「別誂・純米吟醸」 (“Bessen / Special Order – Junmai Ginjo”).
• Style: Junmai Ginjo, typically polished to around 55–60%.
• Profile: Known for a softer, slightly sweeter palate compared to drier Shiga sakes. Often shows melon, apple, and rice sweetness balanced by a clean, light acidity. Good but a bit too sweet for me. Everyone else’s favorite. — 2 months ago

Carter White

9.4

Clean with touches of fruit and cream, great depth and verve. — 3 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Ota jh3 8/2015 — 6 years ago

Norman

9.1

Banshu Ikkon “Chō-kara” Junmai, i.e., “Super-Dry”
Brewery: 山陽盃酒造株式会社 (Sanyōhai Shuzō), Shisō, Hyōgo
Rice: 兵庫北錦 100% (Hyōgo Kitanishiki)
Polish: 60% remaining
SMV (nihonshu-do): +10 (very dry)
ABV: 15%
Volume: 720 ml
Bottled: 2025-06
Style notes from the back label: soft umami with clarity and a very crisp finish; versatile across temperatures.

What to expect in the glass
• Aromatics are restrained. Think steamed rice, faint grain, maybe a hint of dried apple rather than ginjō fruit.
• Palate is lean and highly dry with a quick, clean cut. The +10 SMV puts it on the bone-dry end of the spectrum.
• Body is light to mid. Not a plush or glycerol style. If served too cold it can read “thin” and a touch bitter on the back end.

It’s dry for sure. Crisp and on the edge of bitter/sharp. The body is light and mouthfeel borders on thin but better than those others I called thin, watery and bitter. I liked this. Not staying loved but it was good and did go went with food. Has a bit of a finish that I couldn’t quite place but is what gave it the bitterness. It’s not one that just disappears. — 2 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Ota jh3 8/2015 — 6 years ago

Theo Olinger

9.4

Floral, but dry — 6 years ago