Hello, Nomidachi!

We're sorry to have lost touch with you the past few weeks, and we hope you're hanging in there. 

We think everyone is ready to put 2020 (and maybe a couple other recent years) in the rearview, so here are some year-end lists to remind us that it's not been all bad, and there are some very promising things to look forward to in 2021.

We are still in the process of setting up shop at our new digs, and we hope to be able to welcome you back to your Seattle saké oasis in the next couple weeks. As you can imagine, we desperately need to get back in business after the drubbing we took in 2020, but we list the top selling sake from the last year below in a spirit of gratitude and remembrance for the tremendous support you showed us, enabling us to survive when a lot of other small, independent businesses were not so fortunate.

So, without further ado, we present the best sellers from 2020, and a few very nice sake we look forward to sharing with you soon.

Kanpai and Best Wishes,
Johnnie & Taiko
 

2020 Best Sellers
  1. Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu
      (aka "The Oil Can")
  2. Kaze no Mori "Wind of the Woods"
      Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu
  3. Seikyo Namazake*
  4. Phoenix Nakadori Junmai Daiginjo
  5. Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo*
  6. Shichi Hon Yari Ginfubuki Junmai Ginjo
  7. Masumi Arabashiri Nama Junmai Ginjo*
  8. Shichi Hon Yari Junmai Namazake*
  9. Choryo Taruzake (cedar barrel aged)
10. Rihaku "Origins of Purity" Nama Junmai Ginjo*
11. Tatenokawa "50" Nakadori Junmai Daiginjo
(*Limited seasonal release unpasteurized namazake)


Ones to Watch for in '21!
Ever vigilant, and always up to the challenge of assessing new brews for you, here are a few of the new-to-Washington brews we have enjoyed and are most excited to share with you in the coming weeks:

Niwa no Uguisu Junmai Daiginjo (Fukuoka prefecture)
"Nightingale in the Garden" from Yamaguchi Shuzojo (est. 1832)
Juicy, acidic, mineral, classy, UMAMI
Gold medal winner, 2018 US National Sake Appraisal



Niwa no Uguisu Junmai Ginjo (Fukuoka)
"Nightingale in the Garden" from Yamaguchi Shuzojo (est. 1832)
Notes of melon & mint in the nose; fresh, acidic liveliness; full-bodied umami
Silver medal winner, 2018 US National Sake Appraisal


Soutenden Tokubetsu Junmai (Miyagi)
Otokoyama Honten (est. 1912)
From the area devasted by the 2011tsunami and earthquake
Green apple, pineapple, and cinnamon fragrances; young, tart fruit; ricey umami, ginjo "class"


Kamotsuru Itteki Nyukon Junmai Ginjo (Hiroshima)
Kamotsuru Brewing Co. (est. 1918)
Rose gold orange coloring; earthy aromatics; soft & full, clean & rich; confident presence
Winner of 2014 "Good in Wine Glass" Award








Daikoku Masamune Junmai Daiginjo (Hyogo)
"Infinite Beauty" from Yasufuku Matashiro Shoten (est. 1751)
Balanced fruit; elegant; depth of flavor; sharp finish


Amabuki "Ichigo" Junmai Ginjo (Saga)
Amabuki Shuzo (est. 1688) (!!!)
Brewed with yeast from strawberry (ichigo) blossoms
Golden tint; sweet fruitiness in the nose; juicy, soft, billowing; minerality & astringency in the finish







Naginata Junmai Daiginjo (Oregon, USA)
Limited production from SakéOne (est. 1992)
Caramel, butterscotch, anise on the palate; soft, pleasant viscosity to mouthfeel
Terrific packaging; brewed with US-grown Yamada Nishiki saké rice milled to 40%






Fukuchitose "Toku" Junmai Ginjo (Fukui)
Tajima Brewery (est. 1849); employs just 4 kurabito brewery workers
Clean, mildly acidic; mellow sweetness moves gradually to dry finish; solid & classy
Super cool bottle!