Hey There, Nomidachi!

And all of a sudden, we're back to rain for 40 days and 40 nights. (In case you were wondering, in Japan it's traditional to begin missives with a reference to the weather/season.) 

As we've mentioned in past years, October 1 has become International Saké Day, and this year we're doing our socially distanced best to provide you the opportunity to visit a sake brewery in Nara and perhaps see some of your old nomidachi sake drinking pals from Saké Nomi. Details below -- we hope you can join us.

We've got some other exciting developments to share with you in the weeks ahead, and we promise to feed you the details just as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you're looking for something to celebrate, try to keep Saturday, October 17 open on your socially distanced sake-drinking calendar . . .

Thanks for hanging in there with us!

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko



Saké Day Event: Taruzake Tasting & Tour with Choryo Shuzo
Thursday, Oct. 1 @ 6:00 pm

Here at Saké Nomi, as you are well aware by now, EVERY day is "Saké Day." However, in some less fortunate circles, they reserve that special designation for just one calendar day, October 1.

This year, we are pleased to announce that we will be celebrating the day with a variety of cedar barrel-aged taruzake while virtually visiting (via Zoom) the esteemed Nara brewery, Choryo Shuzo. To join us here's the useful bits: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6779299901?pwd=d2VoL2hNSzB3dVcrNG5KK21nbld3dz09

ID: 677 929 9901

pass code: 572402

We are planning on featuring a terrific trio of Choryo's taruzake you will be able to purchase prior to the festivities, including:

Choryo Yoshinosugi no Taruzake Futsu-shu
Pronounced golden hue, with deep, rich wood aromas and a hint of chocolate in the nose.  Notes of maple and brown sugar sweetness on the palate. Nice, full-bodied balance. This is the first taruzake (cedar barrel aged sake) to have been bottled for commercial sale, back in 1964.
Price: $30/720 ml


Choryo Omachi Tokubetsu Junmai
The notes for the "old" version read: "Faint golden tint, with earthy, yeasty aromas. Soft and light, with a hint of butterscotch and toffee on the palate. Settled (aged for 30 months in the bottle), and rounds out nicely and is comforting when warm (room temp might be best). Fantastic 'daily drinker' that we recently rediscovered – great value and 'bang for your buck.'
The "new" version, which arrived yesterday, has been low-temp bottle aged for SEVEN YEARS! We can't wait to get under the hood of this one!
Price: $30/720 ml


Choryo Yoshinosugi no Taruzake Omachi Yamahai Junmai
Pretty significant yellow coloring, with aromas of cedar, brown sugar, and faint licorice. Soft, slightly viscous mouthfeel, with a definite mild koshu (aged sake) element present. We think it shows its best stuff at room temperature or slightly warmer.
Price: $40/720 ml bottle






Saké Nomi Exclusive: Original Sake Masks by Hinano Designs
These terrific, one-of-a-kind creations SOLD OUT. On behalf of Hinano Designs (aka "Jazzy Jazz"), I can tell you we are thrilled to have been able to offer them to you during these perilous times. Thank you so much for your support and for masking up!










This Week's Featured Sake Selections
Since we ended up getting access to more of the seasonals from Oze and Hakkaisan, and the rest of the selections were so popular last week (Thank You Very Much!!), we decided to keep going with them for a bit, so if you missed out, you've still got a chance to experience these wonderful brews.


Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo (Gunma)                                                                            
This super popular limited seasonal release is back -- we managed to get our hands on the last batch available to our distributor! Rosé-like coloring due to red colored yeast.  Intriguing and delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors, and at just 12% alcohol, a very comfortable summer sipper.  $60/720 ml bottle




Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu (Niigata)       
Brand new to Washington very limited seasonal release! Subtle mix of grains, cereal, and mildly sweet floral notes in the nose. Clean, light, soft, and mildly mineral – not at all overpowering as an undiluted (17.5% ABV) genshu with a lingering finish. This sake is all about its mellow, casual, but undeniable presence. $50/720 ml bottle






Gangi Mizunowa Junmai Ginjo (Yamaguchi)                                      
New sake arrival! Mellow greenish gold coloring, showing aromas of green apple, kiwi, and muscat grape. Soft, medium weight to the mouthfeel on the palate, with the tartness of young fruit, and a minty element in the lingering, mineral finish.
$45/720 ml bottle





Nagurayama Yokikana Junmai Ginjo (Fukushima)                                       
New sake arrival! Golden green tint, displaying elements of melon, mint, cream, cinnamon, and a touch of banana in the nose. Fairly plump mouthfeel, with a mild sweetness and apple notes on the palate. An overall elegant impression – with its 50% rice polish ratio, a junmai daiginjo disguised as a junmai ginjo. $45/720 ml bottle
 



Dewazakura “Omachi” Junmai Ginjo (Yamagata)                                                    
Greenish gold in appearance with notes of minerals, earthiness, and candied melon in the nose.  Soft and silky, and while the impression on the palate is one of pronounced fruitiness, with melon and citrus accents, it finishes dry.  Overall, semi-dry, thus lending itself to "session" drinking, where it is neither overwhelming nor pedestrian.  
$90/1.8L bottle; $45/720 ml bottle



Narutotai “Ginjo Shiboritate” Nama Genshu (Tokushima)                                  
This is perhaps the most popular sake we've ever carried at Saké Nomi. Yeasty, sweet grain aromas.  Soft, full, gentle mouthfeel, with ripened fruit sweetness and slight minerality.  Lingering finish shows a touch of mint.  Unpasteurized and undiluted, the “oil can” would be ideal at a barbecue, or with fatty sashimi.  The brewery was established in 1804.  $50/720 ml can




Kaze no Mori “Wind of the Woods” Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu (Nara)       
Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and undiluted (17% ABV), the brewery's unique bottling process allows the sake to retain an uncommon liveliness and effervescence upon opening.  The flavors transform on the palate in intriguing and savory ways the more time you spend enjoying your glass.  $34/720 ml bottle

(PS: Here's a link to an interesting blog post about Yucho Shuzo, the brewer of Kaze no Mori. We are hoping to have access to another delicious variety of their sake in the coming weeks -- please stay tuned!)

Greetings, Nomidachi!

As we've mentioned in past years, October 1 has become International Saké Day, and this year we're doing our socially distanced best to provide you the opportunity to visit a sake brewery in Nara and perhaps see some of your old nomidachi sake drinking pals from Saké Nomi. Details below -- we hope you can join us.

We've got another virtual event coming up on Tuesday, October 6, and we hope you'll have a chance to check that out, too. Details below.

We appreciate your feedback and support, and we don't know what we'd do without you!

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko



Saké Day Event: Taruzake Tasting & Tour with Choryo Shuzo
Thursday, Oct. 1 @ 6:00 pm

Here at Saké Nomi, as you are well aware by now, EVERY day is "Saké Day." However, in some less fortunate circles, they reserve that special designation for just one calendar day, October 1.

This year, we are pleased to announce that we will be celebrating the day with a variety of cedar barrel-aged taruzake while virtually visiting (via Zoom) the esteemed Nara brewery, Choryo Shuzo. To join us here's the useful bits: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6779299901?pwd=d2VoL2hNSzB3dVcrNG5KK21nbld3dz09

ID: 677 929 9901

pass code: 572402

We are planning on featuring a terrific trio of Choryo's taruzake you will be able to purchase prior to the festivities, including:

Choryo Yoshinosugi no Taruzake Futsu-shu
Pronounced golden hue, with deep, rich wood aromas and a hint of chocolate in the nose.  Notes of maple and brown sugar sweetness on the palate. Nice, full-bodied balance. This is the first taruzake (cedar barrel aged sake) to have been bottled for commercial sale, back in 1964.
Price: $30/720 ml


Choryo Omachi Tokubetsu Junmai
The notes for the "old" version read: "Faint golden tint, with earthy, yeasty aromas. Soft and light, with a hint of butterscotch and toffee on the palate. Settled (aged for 30 months in the bottle), and rounds out nicely and is comforting when warm (room temp might be best). Fantastic 'daily drinker' that we recently rediscovered – great value and 'bang for your buck.'
The "new" version, which arrived yesterday, has been low-temp bottle aged for SEVEN YEARS! We can't wait to get under the hood of this one!
Price: $30/720 ml


Choryo Yoshinosugi no Taruzake Omachi Yamahai Junmai
Pretty significant yellow coloring, with aromas of cedar, brown sugar, and faint licorice. Soft, slightly viscous mouthfeel, with a definite mild koshu (aged sake) element present. We think it shows its best stuff at room temperature or slightly warmer.
Price: $40/720 ml bottle







Save the Date: October 6 (Tues.) @ 6 pm
Virtual Tour & Tasting with Uchigasaki Brewery
(makers of Hoyo brand premium sake)
We are excited to be taking part in a special tour and tasting of Uchigasaki Brewery (Miyage prefecture's oldest brewery, established in 1661) on Tuesday, October 6 from 6 pm.

As part of our participation, we are promoting a pair of the brewery's Hoyo brand sake, which are available for purchase at the shop now. They are:



Hoyo Kura no Hana “Fair Maiden” Junmai Daiginjo (Miyagi)                                             
Delicate, soft, and elegant.  Bouquet of floral and melon aromas.  Mildly sweet in the front palate, becoming drier and slightly astringent in the finish. $42/500 ml bottle

Hoyo Genji “Shining Prince” Junmai (Miyagi)                                                         
Straw colored with aromas of sweet grains and steamed rice.  Soft, full, and round.
$34/720 ml bottle 

The link with information on how to register and join the event can be found here.



This Week's Featured Sake Selections
In addition to the sake for the events mentioned above, and in case you've missed them in the last couple weeks, we're also glad to spotlight the following beautiful brews:


Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo (Gunma)                                                                            
This super popular limited seasonal release is back -- we managed to get our hands on the last batch available to our distributor! Rosé-like coloring due to red colored yeast.  Intriguing and delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors, and at just 12% alcohol, a very comfortable summer sipper.  $60/720 ml bottle





Phoenix Junmai Daiginjo (Yamagata)                                                      Very limited collaboration bottling between French rock band Phoenix and Tatenokawa Brewery.  Greenish gold tint, with aromas of blackberry, mint, lavender, mulch, and tree bark.  Light, lively, and lissome, with perfect acidity.  $60/720 ml bottle




Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu (Niigata)       
Brand new to Washington very limited seasonal release! Subtle mix of grains, cereal, and mildly sweet floral notes in the nose. Clean, light, soft, and mildly mineral – not at all overpowering as an undiluted (17.5% ABV) genshu with a lingering finish. This sake is all about its mellow, casual, but undeniable presence. $50/720 ml bottle



Dewazakura “Omachi” Junmai Ginjo (Yamagata)                                                    
Greenish gold in appearance with notes of minerals, earthiness, and candied melon in the nose.  Soft and silky, and while the impression on the palate is one of pronounced fruitiness, with melon and citrus accents, it finishes dry.  Overall, semi-dry, thus lending itself to "session" drinking, where it is neither overwhelming nor pedestrian.  
$90/1.8L bottle; $45/720 ml bottle



Narutotai “Ginjo Shiboritate” Nama Genshu (Tokushima)                                  
This is perhaps the most popular sake we've ever carried at Saké Nomi. Yeasty, sweet grain aromas.  Soft, full, gentle mouthfeel, with ripened fruit sweetness and slight minerality.  Lingering finish shows a touch of mint.  Unpasteurized and undiluted, the “oil can” would be ideal at a barbecue, or with fatty sashimi.  The brewery was established in 1804.  $50/720 ml can




Kaze no Mori “Wind of the Woods” Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu (Nara)       
Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and undiluted (17% ABV), the brewery's unique bottling process allows the sake to retain an uncommon liveliness and effervescence upon opening.  The flavors transform on the palate in intriguing and savory ways the more time you spend enjoying your glass.  $34/720 ml bottle

 

Greetings, Dear Nomidachi!

Looking out the window at our cloudy, somewhat sepia toned world, we can't help but thinking if it's not one damn thing, it's another.

We continue to be thankful for our access to wonderful premium Japanese sake, and the ability and privilege to be able to share it with you.

As we mentioned last time, hiyaoroshi season is just around the corner, and we are slowly gaining increased access to sake newly released to the U.S.

We may also have a rather momentous announcement to share very soon. Fingers crossed!

Please continue your best efforts to remain safe, healthy, and sane. We're doing our best in pursuit of the same.

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko


Saké Nomi Exclusive: Original Sake Masks by Hinano Designs
File this under "Sake-Related Accessories Unique to Our Times," but we're excited to share some one-of-a-kind masks designed and produced by Hinano Designs from repurposed tenugui (traditional Japanese bandana).

These masks are lined with a filter layer and have a pocket for an additional filter. You can easily remove the metal nose bridge piece to wash and reuse.

We will be selling these funky (in a good way), completely unique masks at the shop for $16 each, while very limited supplies last.



Additional Access to Terrific Seasonal Treats
We're pleased to announce that our distributor has managed to secure a few more cases of rare seasonal release gems Oze x Rosé Junmai Daigino and Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu, and they will be available to our Saké Nomi customers this Friday, September 18.

If you're interested in securing a few bottles of these wonderful brews, please give us a shout by Noon, Thursday, Sept. 17. Here's a reminder of the tasting notes, if you need them:

Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo (Gunma)                                                                            
This super popular limited seasonal release is back -- we managed to get our hands on the last batch available to our distributor! Rosé-like coloring due to red colored yeast.  Intriguing and delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors, and at just 12% alcohol, a very comfortable summer sipper.  $60/720 ml bottle




Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu (Niigata)       
Brand new to Washington very limited seasonal release! Subtle mix of grains, cereal, and mildly sweet floral notes in the nose. Clean, light, soft, and mildly mineral – not at all overpowering as an undiluted (17.5% ABV) genshu with a lingering finish. This sake is all about its mellow, casual, but undeniable presence. $50/720 ml bottle




This Week's Featured Sake Selections
In addition to some of the sake we mentioned last week, this week our spotlight shines on some new sake arrivals (Gangi and Yokikana), as well as some personal favorites (Phoenix and Dewazakura Omachi). We think you might fight a new favorite within this bunch, too!


Gangi Mizunowa Junmai Ginjo (Yamaguchi)                                      
New sake arrival! Mellow greenish gold coloring, showing aromas of green apple, kiwi, and muscat grape. Soft, medium weight to the mouthfeel on the palate, with the tartness of young fruit, and a minty element in the lingering, mineral finish.
$45/720 ml bottle





Nagurayama Yokikana Junmai Ginjo (Fukushima)                                       
New sake arrival! Golden green tint, displaying elements of melon, mint, cream, cinnamon, and a touch of banana in the nose. Fairly plump mouthfeel, with a mild sweetness and apple notes on the palate. An overall elegant impression – with its 50% rice polish ratio, a junmai daiginjo disguised as a junmai ginjo. $45/720 ml bottle
 



Dewazakura “Omachi” Junmai Ginjo (Yamagata)                                                    
Greenish gold in appearance with notes of minerals, earthiness, and candied melon in the nose.  Soft and silky, and while the impression on the palate is one of pronounced fruitiness, with melon and citrus accents, it finishes dry.  Overall, semi-dry, thus lending itself to "session" drinking, where it is neither overwhelming nor pedestrian.  
$90/1.8L bottle; $45/720 ml bottle



Narutotai “Ginjo Shiboritate” Nama Genshu (Tokushima)                                  
This is perhaps the most popular sake we've ever carried at Saké Nomi. Yeasty, sweet grain aromas.  Soft, full, gentle mouthfeel, with ripened fruit sweetness and slight minerality.  Lingering finish shows a touch of mint.  Unpasteurized and undiluted, the “oil can” would be ideal at a barbecue, or with fatty sashimi.  The brewery was established in 1804.  $50/720 ml can




Kaze no Mori “Wind of the Woods” Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu (Nara)       
Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and undiluted (17% ABV), the brewery's unique bottling process allows the sake to retain an uncommon liveliness and effervescence upon opening.  The flavors transform on the palate in intriguing and savory ways the more time you spend enjoying your glass.  $34/720 ml bottle
 


 

Hi There, Nomidachi!

And then it was September . . . Unbelievable.

Some good news is that our hours of operation are not altered in the event of the upcoming Labor Day "holiday weekend" (wondering if that's still a thing, that concept?). At any rate, our hours of operation for on premises retail sales and curbside delivery remain:

Tuesday- Saturday: Noon- 6 pm
Sunday- Monday: CLOSED

August was pretty rough, wasn't it? While, on the one hand, we hate to see it go, let's take a drink, turn the page, and get on with it, shall we?

We hope you are keeping well, masking up, washing your hands raw, and remaining as sane as conditions permit. We miss you!!

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko



New Saké Arrival: Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu
Available In-Store: Friday, Sept. 4 (while limited supplies last)

We are thrilled to be able to announce this brand-new-to-the-U.S., super limited seasonal release: Hakkaisan (legendary Niigata brewery) Tokubetsu Junmai (intriguing, value-packed grade) Genshu (undiluted @ 17.5% ABV). We haven’t had a chance to taste and do notes yet (tonight’s homework?), but with all those signifying factors, count us in!

Only 2 cases are available here in Washington, and we plan on having as many bottles as possible delivered here Friday, Sept. 4.
Price: $50/720 ml bottle.

If you’d like to nab some for the weekend, please get in touch by noon Thursday, September 3. 


Featured Sake Selections
In addition to recently mentioned/promoted brews, some other current favorite recommendations include:

Narutotai “Ginjo Shiboritate” Nama Genshu (Tokushima)                                  
It’s baaaaack! Yeasty, sweet grain aromas.  Soft, full, gentle mouthfeel, with ripened fruit sweetness and slight minerality.  Lingering finish shows a touch of mint.  The “oil can” would be ideal at a barbecue, or with fatty sashimi.  The brewery was established in 1804.  $50/720 ml can






Kamoizumi “Red Maple” Aged Namagenshu (Hiroshima)             Unpasteurized (nama), undiluted (genshu), and aged for two years at 5° C.  Rich and lovely and worthy of slow, relaxed enjoyment.  $50/720 ml bottle








Kamoizumi “Summer Snow” Nama Nigori Ginjo (Hiroshima) Sweet fruit notes of white peach and pumpkin in the nose.  Rich flavor with hints of orange. Slightly chalky texture, yet super soft mouthfeel. Good balance of sweet and acidic flavor elements. A rare nama (unpasteurized) nigori ("cloudy"), it's kind of "hearty" -- a real sake drinker's nigori. $36/500 ml bottle




(Voice over: "Previously on 'Seattle's Saké Oasis: Saké Nomi . . .")

Yamato Tamba Junmai Daiginjo (Hyogo)                   
Brand new to Washington and exclusive to our new Bellevue-based importer/distributor! Rich gold coloring, with a complex variety of flavors appearing on the palate, including tart, dry, astringent, and mineral elements. The subtle, seductive umami reinforces the elegance of this brew (dig the significant weight to the gorgeous bottle, too!). This sake was developed by Nishiyama Shuzojo’s American kurabito, Kelley Kaminsky, and is the first new brand released by this brewery in 105 years!
$55/720 ml bottle


Kamotsuru Tokusei Gold Daiginjo (Hiroshima)                                  Amber tint, with a rich nose of caramel and honey. Clean, smooth, luxurious mouthfeel/texture. A dairy element to the sweetness/richness brings to mind toffee. The “Obama saké” with the festive and auspicious gold flakes that the president enjoyed at Jiro’s sushi place in Tokyo was the first daiginjo grade sake made available for purchase by the general public.
$50/720 ml bottle








Dassai “Otter Festival: 45” Junmai Daiginjo (Yamaguchi)                                    
Golden coloring, with jasmine, muscat grape, and sea salt fragrances.  Soft and light, with a surprisingly full mouthfeel.  The “45” in the name refers to the 45% milling rate of the rice used to brew this saké. This is a fairly recent release to the U.S., and a bit lighter with less licorice/anise notes than the previous much loved and heralded “50” version. $95/1.8L bottle; $48/720 ml bottle


Kotsuzumi Hanafubuki “Shower of Blossoms” Junmai Ginjo (Hyogo)
Brand new to Washington! Pronounced dandelion gold tint. Soft, inviting mouthfeel, showing flavors of young tart fruit and apple peel on the palate, leading to the dry, lingering finish. All of Nishiyama Shuzojo’s gorgeous labels were designed by celebrated Japanese artist, Hirosuke Watanuki.  $45/720 ml bottle



 

Hello, Nomidachi!

Since it's a somewhat shortened week, we'll keep this short and sweet.

We are anticipating getting some of the autumn seasonal release hiyaoroshi sake in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned for those announcements.

In the meantime, we continue to hustle and rustle up some new-to-Washington brews that we hope will eventually become premium year-round staples. 

Please keep in mind that we are more or less forced to give it a go and try to survive on only retail bottle sales, but as soon as regulations allow, we'll be glad to host you for a comfortable, relaxing glass or flight here at the bar.

We appreciate you hanging in there with us, and your continued support is what allows Saké Nomi to exist.  For that, words are inadequate to express the depth of our gratitude. THANK YOU!

Please keep taking good care of one another, and drink some good sake when you can.

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko




Featured Sake Selections
It looks like the warm weather is hanging around for a bit (and Autumn doesn't really begin until Sept.22), so here are some of the pleasant summer sippers we're currently enjoying:


Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo (Gunma)                                                                            
This super popular limited seasonal release is back -- we managed to get our hands on the last batch available to our distributor! Rosé-like coloring due to red colored yeast.  Intriguing and delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors, and at just 12% alcohol, a very comfortable summer sipper.  $60/720 ml bottle





Kuro Kabuto “Black Samurai Helmet” Junmai Daiginjo (Fukuoka)               
The Darth Vader of saké strikes back!  Dark straw coloring (from lack of charcoal filtering), with raspberry, melon and sweet floral aromas.  Earthy, grounded, slightly tart sweetness, rich in umami.  Soft, yet pleasantly acidic.  This saké is made with “black” kuro koji (usually reserved for shochu production), which resembles a traditional samurai helmet (kabuto) when seen under a microscope.  $50/720 ml bottle




Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu (Niigata)       
Brand new to Washington very limited seasonal release! Subtle mix of grains, cereal, and mildly sweet floral notes in the nose. Clean, light, soft, and mildly mineral – not at all overpowering as an undiluted (17.5% ABV) genshu with a lingering finish. This sake is all about its mellow, casual, but undeniable presence. $50/720 ml bottle



Narutotai “Ginjo Shiboritate” Nama Genshu (Tokushima)                                  
This is perhaps the most popular sake we've ever carried at Saké Nomi. Yeasty, sweet grain aromas.  Soft, full, gentle mouthfeel, with ripened fruit sweetness and slight minerality.  Lingering finish shows a touch of mint.  Unpasteurized and undiluted, the “oil can” would be ideal at a barbecue, or with fatty sashimi.  The brewery was established in 1804.  $50/720 ml can





Kamoizumi “Summer Snow” Nama Nigori Ginjo (Hiroshima) Sweet fruit notes of white peach and pumpkin in the nose.  Rich flavor with hints of orange. Slightly chalky texture, yet super soft mouthfeel. Good balance of sweet and acidic flavor elements. A rare nama (unpasteurized) nigori ("cloudy"), it's kind of "hearty" -- a real sake drinker's nigori. $36/500 ml bottle