Nomidachi News Archive
November 2016
November 17
Konnichi wa, Nomidachi! We'll keep this one short and sweet, but we just wanted to let you know about some special sake and schedule changes taking place at Saké Nomi in the coming days.Sunday, November 20: CLOSED As has become our habit, we will be CLOSED this Sunday, November 20 due to the Seahawks home game. Just the same, GO 'HAWKS! Thursday, November 24: CLOSED We'll be happy to spend some time with friends and family at Thanksgiving, and we hope you and yours enjoy a pleasant, bountiful, laughter-filled holiday. By the way, YES, we will be open on "Black Friday," our normal hours of 2- 10 pm. Also, November 23, Thanksgiving Eve (if there is such a thing) can sometimes be a rather joyful affair at ye olde sake bar, as the hometown folks relax and fortify themselves for the holiday weekend ahead. Just saying. Featured Sake This Weekend In addition to our marvelous "regular" rotating menu, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, we're proud to be featuring these rare delights (all of which would make people's heads explode, in a good way, if featured with your traditional Thanksgiving fare) by the glass/flight/bottle: Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" Junmai Ginjo (Niigata prefecture)  We mentioned this sake upon its arrival last week, and we don't want you to miss the chance to try this bonafide "Niigata classic." It features rich fragrances of koji, miso, dough, and yeast. Softly textured and vaguely mineral on the palate, it shows mild astringency on the edges before its dry-ish finish. Highly prized and much renowned in Japan, Muku is complex enough to satisfy the connoisseur, yet straightforward enough to be a great introduction to sake beginners. $115/1.8L bottle; $56/720 ml bottleTsukinowa Yoinotsuki "Midnight Moon" Daiginjo (Iwate) Amber tint, with notes of honey in the aroma and taste. An element of depth in  the earthy, caramel sweetness. Complex and quiet, soft and melting. Brewed in Johnnie's Japanese "hometown" by one of his former English students -- one of the few female toji (master brewer) in the industry! $48/720 ml bottleIsojiman "Omachi" Tokubetsu Junmai (Shizuoka) Rare outside Japan, we see this new favorite only semi-annually or quarterly at best. Greenish tint, with aromas of pear and apple. Very ginjo-esque in both aroma and flavor, with pear and citrus flavors. Soft, full, and viscous, yet with a solid, almost “prickly” acidity, and a finish that hangs around and makes its presence felt. Brewed with Omachi rice milled to a ginjo level of 55%. $80/720 ml bottle Seikyo "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo (Hiroshima) Melon and grapefruit aromas, with notes of pink grapefruit on the palate. An enticing combination of clean taste and full, plump mouthfeel. Mellow and low-key, but the character is substantial and self-confident. Subtle, silky (super soft!), and sultry, with loads of umami. $45/720 ml bottle We look forward to catching up with you soon at Saké Nomi! Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
November 22
Happy Thanksgiving!And, the year-end holiday season is upon us!Though we're a day early, we hope you and yours enjoy a fun, relaxing Thanksgiving. Chez Stroud, we realize we have much to be thankful for in our lives, and way up near the top of the list is the incredible group of people we've come to know these past nine-and-a-half years. We appreciate you, Nomidachi! Thursday, November 24: CLOSED Just a reminder that though we will be CLOSED tomorrow in observance of Thanksgiving, we will, indeed, be open on "Black Friday," our normal hours of 2- 10 pm, as well as 2- 10 pm on Saturday and Noon- 6 pm on Sunday. For what it's worth, we're open today 'til 10:00 pm, too, in case you need to pick up some last-minute reinforcements. Seasonal Hiyaoroshi Sake Has Arrived! In addition to this week's incredible selections on our "regular" rotating menu, we're pleased to announce that the newest batch of autumn seasonal release, once-pasteurized hiyaoroshi sake has arrived, and we are featuring: Urakasumi Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Miyagi prefecture)
Otokoyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Hokkaido)
Oyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Yamagata) We say: There are less than 20 bottles of this selection remaining in Washington, and Saké Nomi is getting the entire allotment! Also, supplies are getting low on this rare beauty, and believe us, you don't want to miss it: Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" Junmai Ginjo (Niigata prefecture) We mentioned this sake upon its recent arrival, and we don't want you to miss the chance to try this bonafide "Niigata classic." It features rich fragrances of koji, miso, dough, and yeast. Softly textured and vaguely mineral on the palate, it shows mild astringency on the edges before its dry-ish finish. Highly prized and much renowned in Japan, Muku is complex enough to satisfy the connoisseur, yet straightforward enough to be a great introduction to sake beginners. Price: $115/1.8L bottle; $56/720 ml bottleThanks again for being part of our lives. Best wishes for a delightful Thanksgiving holiday! Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
November 10
Dear Nomidachi,We are very excited to announce the arrival of a celebrated and very prestigious sake brand: Niigata prefecture's Koshi no Kanbai."Kanbai" means "winter plum," and the folks at Ishimoto Brewing Company explain the origin of their brand name this way: "For centuries, the town has been famous for large, fragrant plums that appear in the early summer. In one orchard there was a tree that blossomed at the cusp of spring, braving the cold and snow that still lay upon the ground. This lone blossom that stood out so vividly became the origin for the name of our sake, Koshi no Kanbai." Here in the U.S., we say "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," (pretty much the exact opposite of the Japanese equivalent, "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.") and we have been clamoring for Koshi no Kanbai and pestering our distributors since we opened in 2007 to be able to have access to Koshi no Kanbai sake. This weekend (Fri.: 5- 10 pm; Sat.: 2- 10 pm; Sun.: Noon- 5 pm), we will be presenting Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" for your tasting and consideration. While limited supplies last, we will be offering Muku for sale by the glass and by the bottle. We will also be accepting orders for this special sake that we should be able to fulfill during the weeks leading up to the "holiday season."The arrival of this sake is kind of a big deal for us. Another, perhaps smaller, "big deal" for us is that this Saturday marks the one-year "anniversary" (not sure that term is entirely appropriate) of Johnnie's thus-far-very-successful surgery to address prostate cancer. He's just happy to be here, but he's also very appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from the many friends we've made thru/via our activities at Saké Nomi. If you're able to stop by this weekend, he'd love to treat you to a taste. Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
November 6
Greetings, Nomidachi!We hope you enjoyed and adjusted for the end of Daylight Savings this past weekend. We have a couple things happening at Saké Nomi this week that we wanted to share with you. 2016 Election Returns Viewing Party: Tuesday, Nov. 8 Please join us Tuesday, November 8 from 5 pm for an evening of cheers, jeers, laughter, and tears as we try to make sense out of the national and local election results as they become available. We’ll be featuring vaguely election-themed premium sake selections throughout the evening, so that you can either enjoy celebratory libations or drown your sorrows, depending upon your particular political/socio-economic persuasion. DISCLAIMER (of sorts): Saké Nomi is a non-partisan and diversity embracing oasis of premium Japanese sake and craft beer, and as such, we do not tolerate discourteous discourse. We are a “21 and over,” drinking establishment, so we require and appreciate our patrons behaving, drinking, and debating as responsible adults. Please don't forget to get out there and rock your vote! New Saké Arrival: More Seasonal Hiyaoroshi This Week! We're pretty sure that after this brutal election cycle and rain-drenched October, like us, y’all could use a drink. Our distributor has informed us that some new, once-pasteurized hiyaoroshi sake selections are due to arrive in the next week or so. Fall traditionally marks the release of sake brewed during the previous winter's brewing season. Since most sake is a bit too brash and young to drink right away, most sake is "laid down" to mellow out and mature for around 6 months or so. Hiyaoroshi saké have only been pasteurized once (usually previous to the six-month ageing period, but sometimes just before they ship), and are released during the cooler months of Autumn, when it's cool enough that dormant enzymes will not be reactivated (most sake is pasteurized twice to prevent this). As a result, hiyaoroshi sake can often have a bit more of a fresh, crisp, and lively flavor profile compared to sake that has undergone the more traditional two-time pasteurization. While we’ve carried some of the following hiyaoroshi selections in the past, there are a few new-to-Washington treats on their way, as well. Notes and pricing are as follows:  Urakasumi Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Miyagi prefecture)Soft and lively, with deep, resonating umami. The mild spice in the pleasantly lingering finish perfectly embodies and brings to mind a crisp, mellow autumnal afternoon. Price: $45/720 ml bottle Otokoyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Hokkaido) Soft, slightly creamy texture, with steamed rice, grains, and yeast in the nose and on the palate. Faint butter and a touch of toffee, with kimoto tanginess in the acidity and astringency. Price: $45/720 ml bottle Oyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Yamagata) The importer says: "Light & smooth type. Medium dry sake with fruity aroma of pear, banana & delicious apple. Very juicy and mild taste with crisp acidity and soft texture.” We say: There are only 24 bottles of this selection heading to Washington, and Saké Nomi is getting the entire allotment! Price: $50/720 ml bottle Wakatake Onitome Sachi Tokubetsu Junmai (Shizuoka) The importer says: "Light, smooth & rich type. Very smooth, alluring, fruity sake with expansive savory flavor. Crisp and creamy finish.” We say: This is from the brewer of the famous Onikoroshi “Demon Killer.” Price: $45/720 ml bottle Gokyo Hiyaoroshi Junmai (Yamaguchi) The importer says: "Moderate aroma of rice harmonized with fruity aroma of melon and banana. Medium dry sake with expansive savory flavor balanced with sweet and mild acidity.” We say: It’s from a brewery that makes great sake — we have high expectations. Price: $45/720 ml bottle Please get back to us by Noon on Thursday, Nov. 10 if you’d like to order any of these special sake. By the way, we think these sake will make great Thanksgiving accompaniments, if you’re that way inclined (and very disciplined). Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
November 17
Konnichi wa, Nomidachi!We'll keep this one short and sweet, but we just wanted to let you know about some special sake and schedule changes taking place at Saké Nomi in the coming days.Sunday, November 20: CLOSED As has become our habit, we will be CLOSED this Sunday, November 20 due to the Seahawks home game. Just the same, GO 'HAWKS! Thursday, November 24: CLOSED We'll be happy to spend some time with friends and family at Thanksgiving, and we hope you and yours enjoy a pleasant, bountiful, laughter-filled holiday. By the way, YES, we will be open on "Black Friday," our normal hours of 2- 10 pm. Also, November 23, Thanksgiving Eve (if there is such a thing) can sometimes be a rather joyful affair at ye olde sake bar, as the hometown folks relax and fortify themselves for the holiday weekend ahead. Just saying. Featured Sake This Weekend In addition to our marvelous "regular" rotating menu, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, we're proud to be featuring these rare delights (all of which would make people's heads explode, in a good way, if featured with your traditional Thanksgiving fare) by the glass/flight/bottle: Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" Junmai Ginjo (Niigata prefecture) We mentioned this sake upon its arrival last week, and we don't want you to miss the chance to try this bonafide "Niigata classic." It features rich fragrances of koji, miso, dough, and yeast. Softly textured and vaguely mineral on the palate, it shows mild astringency on the edges before its dry-ish finish. Highly prized and much renowned in Japan, Muku is complex enough to satisfy the connoisseur, yet straightforward enough to be a great introduction to sake beginners. $115/1.8L bottle; $56/720 ml bottleTsukinowa Yoinotsuki "Midnight Moon" Daiginjo (Iwate) Amber tint, with notes of honey in the aroma and taste. An element of depth in the earthy, caramel sweetness. Complex and quiet, soft and melting. Brewed in Johnnie's Japanese "hometown" by one of his former English students -- one of the few female toji (master brewer) in the industry! $48/720 ml bottleIsojiman "Omachi" Tokubetsu Junmai (Shizuoka) Rare outside Japan, we see this new favorite only semi-annually or quarterly at best. Greenish tint, with aromas of pear and apple. Very ginjo-esque in both aroma and flavor, with pear and citrus flavors. Soft, full, and viscous, yet with a solid, almost “prickly” acidity, and a finish that hangs around and makes its presence felt. Brewed with Omachi rice milled to a ginjo level of 55%. $80/720 ml bottle Seikyo "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo (Hiroshima) Melon and grapefruit aromas, with notes of pink grapefruit on the palate. An enticing combination of clean taste and full, plump mouthfeel. Mellow and low-key, but the character is substantial and self-confident. Subtle, silky (super soft!), and sultry, with loads of umami. $45/720 ml bottle We look forward to catching up with you soon at Saké Nomi! Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
November 22
Happy Thanksgiving!And, the year-end holiday season is upon us!Though we're a day early, we hope you and yours enjoy a fun, relaxing Thanksgiving. Chez Stroud, we realize we have much to be thankful for in our lives, and way up near the top of the list is the incredible group of people we've come to know these past nine-and-a-half years. We appreciate you, Nomidachi! Thursday, November 24: CLOSED Just a reminder that though we will be CLOSED tomorrow in observance of Thanksgiving, we will, indeed, be open on "Black Friday," our normal hours of 2- 10 pm, as well as 2- 10 pm on Saturday and Noon- 6 pm on Sunday. For what it's worth, we're open today 'til 10:00 pm, too, in case you need to pick up some last-minute reinforcements. Seasonal Hiyaoroshi Sake Has Arrived! In addition to this week's incredible selections on our "regular" rotating menu, we're pleased to announce that the newest batch of autumn seasonal release, once-pasteurized hiyaoroshi sake has arrived, and we are featuring: Urakasumi Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Miyagi prefecture)
Otokoyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Hokkaido)
Oyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Yamagata) We say: There are less than 20 bottles of this selection remaining in Washington, and Saké Nomi is getting the entire allotment! Also, supplies are getting low on this rare beauty, and believe us, you don't want to miss it: Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" Junmai Ginjo (Niigata prefecture) We mentioned this sake upon its recent arrival, and we don't want you to miss the chance to try this bonafide "Niigata classic." It features rich fragrances of koji, miso, dough, and yeast. Softly textured and vaguely mineral on the palate, it shows mild astringency on the edges before its dry-ish finish. Highly prized and much renowned in Japan, Muku is complex enough to satisfy the connoisseur, yet straightforward enough to be a great introduction to sake beginners. Price: $115/1.8L bottle; $56/720 ml bottleThanks again for being part of our lives. Best wishes for a delightful Thanksgiving holiday! Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
November 10
Dear Nomidachi,We are very excited to announce the arrival of a celebrated and very prestigious sake brand: Niigata prefecture's Koshi no Kanbai."Kanbai" means "winter plum," and the folks at Ishimoto Brewing Company explain the origin of their brand name this way: "For centuries, the town has been famous for large, fragrant plums that appear in the early summer. In one orchard there was a tree that blossomed at the cusp of spring, braving the cold and snow that still lay upon the ground. This lone blossom that stood out so vividly became the origin for the name of our sake, Koshi no Kanbai." Here in the U.S., we say "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," (pretty much the exact opposite of the Japanese equivalent, "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.") and we have been clamoring for Koshi no Kanbai and pestering our distributors since we opened in 2007 to be able to have access to Koshi no Kanbai sake. This weekend (Fri.: 5- 10 pm; Sat.: 2- 10 pm; Sun.: Noon- 5 pm), we will be presenting Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" for your tasting and consideration. While limited supplies last, we will be offering Muku for sale by the glass and by the bottle. We will also be accepting orders for this special sake that we should be able to fulfill during the weeks leading up to the "holiday season."The arrival of this sake is kind of a big deal for us. Another, perhaps smaller, "big deal" for us is that this Saturday marks the one-year "anniversary" (not sure that term is entirely appropriate) of Johnnie's thus-far-very-successful surgery to address prostate cancer. He's just happy to be here, but he's also very appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from the many friends we've made thru/via our activities at Saké Nomi. If you're able to stop by this weekend, he'd love to treat you to a taste. Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
November 6
Greetings, Nomidachi!We hope you enjoyed and adjusted for the end of Daylight Savings this past weekend. We have a couple things happening at Saké Nomi this week that we wanted to share with you. 2016 Election Returns Viewing Party: Tuesday, Nov. 8 Please join us Tuesday, November 8 from 5 pm for an evening of cheers, jeers, laughter, and tears as we try to make sense out of the national and local election results as they become available. We’ll be featuring vaguely election-themed premium sake selections throughout the evening, so that you can either enjoy celebratory libations or drown your sorrows, depending upon your particular political/socio-economic persuasion. DISCLAIMER (of sorts): Saké Nomi is a non-partisan and diversity embracing oasis of premium Japanese sake and craft beer, and as such, we do not tolerate discourteous discourse. We are a “21 and over,” drinking establishment, so we require and appreciate our patrons behaving, drinking, and debating as responsible adults. Please don't forget to get out there and rock your vote! New Saké Arrival: More Seasonal Hiyaoroshi This Week! We're pretty sure that after this brutal election cycle and rain-drenched October, like us, y’all could use a drink. Our distributor has informed us that some new, once-pasteurized hiyaoroshi sake selections are due to arrive in the next week or so. Fall traditionally marks the release of sake brewed during the previous winter's brewing season. Since most sake is a bit too brash and young to drink right away, most sake is "laid down" to mellow out and mature for around 6 months or so. Hiyaoroshi saké have only been pasteurized once (usually previous to the six-month ageing period, but sometimes just before they ship), and are released during the cooler months of Autumn, when it's cool enough that dormant enzymes will not be reactivated (most sake is pasteurized twice to prevent this). As a result, hiyaoroshi sake can often have a bit more of a fresh, crisp, and lively flavor profile compared to sake that has undergone the more traditional two-time pasteurization. While we’ve carried some of the following hiyaoroshi selections in the past, there are a few new-to-Washington treats on their way, as well. Notes and pricing are as follows: Urakasumi Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Miyagi prefecture)Soft and lively, with deep, resonating umami. The mild spice in the pleasantly lingering finish perfectly embodies and brings to mind a crisp, mellow autumnal afternoon. Price: $45/720 ml bottle Otokoyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Hokkaido) Soft, slightly creamy texture, with steamed rice, grains, and yeast in the nose and on the palate. Faint butter and a touch of toffee, with kimoto tanginess in the acidity and astringency. Price: $45/720 ml bottle Oyama Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (Yamagata) The importer says: "Light & smooth type. Medium dry sake with fruity aroma of pear, banana & delicious apple. Very juicy and mild taste with crisp acidity and soft texture.” We say: There are only 24 bottles of this selection heading to Washington, and Saké Nomi is getting the entire allotment! Price: $50/720 ml bottle Wakatake Onitome Sachi Tokubetsu Junmai (Shizuoka) The importer says: "Light, smooth & rich type. Very smooth, alluring, fruity sake with expansive savory flavor. Crisp and creamy finish.” We say: This is from the brewer of the famous Onikoroshi “Demon Killer.” Price: $45/720 ml bottle Gokyo Hiyaoroshi Junmai (Yamaguchi) The importer says: "Moderate aroma of rice harmonized with fruity aroma of melon and banana. Medium dry sake with expansive savory flavor balanced with sweet and mild acidity.” We say: It’s from a brewery that makes great sake — we have high expectations. Price: $45/720 ml bottle Please get back to us by Noon on Thursday, Nov. 10 if you’d like to order any of these special sake. By the way, we think these sake will make great Thanksgiving accompaniments, if you’re that way inclined (and very disciplined). Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie & Taiko |
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