Daishichi Sake Brewery (est. 1752) is well known in the Japanese premium sake world for their exquisitely made kimoto sake and their pioneering developments in rice milling technology.

When we first opened Saké Nomi in 2007, we had access to some of their excellent brews, but with some shuffles on the distribution side, Daishichi has been unavailable to us in the past few years.

Things are looking up now, though, and with a little luck we will soon be able to pour and sell a wide range of Daishichi sake.

The first selection that's been made available to us in Washington is a junmai daiginjo, Minowamon.

Here's how Daishichi describes it:

"This junmai daiginjo sake, brewed by the traditional kimoto method, was the first in Japan produced using the super-flat rice-polishing technique developed by Daishichi to achieve the total elimination of all components that might result in undesirable flavors. The clear taste has an underlying richness that creates a natural, elegant aroma and a gentle, mellow texture of remarkable delicacy.

"Minowamon is the name of one of the gates to Nihonmatsu castle, a beautiful structure dating from the Edo period. For two years running, this sake has gained top place in voting by kikizakeshi (Japanese sake sommeliers) in the refined sake section. It has also won consecutive gold medals in competition in the United States."

Our notes look like this:

Notes of dates/figs in the nose, with apple and mineral essences.  Soft, silky, viscous mouthfeel with a kimoto tanginess.  Very delicate and refined, and an outstanding pairing with cheese.  Perhaps a "special occasion" sake, but any occasion will be special when you open this bottle.

Price: $125/720 ml bottle (10% discount on orders of 4 or more bottles)
 

If you're interested in exploring different styles and grades of premium sake, this week's menu affords you a unique tasting opportunity.

Featuring not one, not two, but count 'em THREE junmai daiginjo, and a couple namazake (unpasteurized sake), it's a selection of flavors that we think is hard to beat.

We've developed a bit of a crush on our newest junmai daiginjo, Takatenjin "Soul of the Sensei," and we're anxious to introduce it to our sake-loving friends.

If you have a chance this weekend, please make time to treat yourself to a little bit of heaven in a glass.

From the fine folks at Shizuoka's Doi Brewery (producers of Saké Nomi favorites Kaiun/"Better Fortune" and Takatenjin/"Sword of the Sun"), we are thrilled to announce the arrival of Takatenjin "Soul of the Sensei" junmai daiginjo, and we'll be introducing this lovely brew at a special tasting this weekend.

Per the importer's website:

"Takantenjin Soul of the Sensei is a special Junmai Daiginjo brewed in memory of former Takatenjin Master Toji Shokichi Hase. Toji Hase worked tirelessly at the same brewery for over 40 years which in itself is surely an achievement worth honoring. 

"He was also one of the four famous toji known as the "Four Guardians of Heaven" of the prestigious Noto Toji Guild. (Toji guilds are small groups of notable tojis whose main objectives are to educate and train successors, to refine skills, and to uphold and improve the reputation of the sake from their region.) The brewery continues its former sensei's traditions with this clean, dry and rich brew which is considered one of Japan's most highly regarded sake."

We will have this special, new-to-Washington sake available for tasting and purchase this Friday, July 10 (5- 8 pm), and Saturday, July 11 (2-6 pm).

Availability is somewhat limited, but if you can't make it to this weekend's tasting and you're interested in purchasing a bottle or two ($60/720 ml), please give us a shout by Noon tomorrow (7/8), and we'll be glad to set something aside for you.