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Last post 2 weeks ago by Palama. 166 replies replies.
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What sake you drinking 10,000?
LetsRock Offline
#51 Posted:
Joined: 01-23-2012
Posts: 4,595
Never had sake but have always wanted to try it. What is recommended for a beginner?
Palama Offline
#52 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Get a good quality cold sake. There are 3 main grades so if I were starting out I'd get the middle one, Junmai Ginjo, and go from there. Think of sake like you would white wine so they'll run the gamut of dry, fruity, sweet, sour, etc. Lotta times the bottle will have a short description of the flavor profile, if not, ask the wait help (...or sushi chef if you're sitting at the bar at a sushi place...) and they can recommend something close to your tastes. Don't always be fooled by the price tag, sake, like wine and cigars, is often times a personal choice so what tastes good to me, may not taste good to you. Trying different types and grades will help you determine what you like and with what foods. I rarely eat meat when I drink sake, I have mostly sashimi and sushi topped with raw seafood (...toro, cooked octopus, ebi, and scallops are good...). My favorite pairing is hamachi (...yellowtail...) with sake. I don't "waste" hamachi on sushi, I eat it as sashimi so I can savor the softness and the way it melts in my mouth.

But, like I said, a lot of it is personal tastes so have fun trying different ones.
Palama Offline
#53 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Last night we drank the last of the Silk but haven't been able to find another bottle. Sad
Palama Offline
#54 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Also, sake is more of a sipping drink. Slamming them down like they're going out of style will only lead to a real quick drunk (...and possible mean hangover...). It's a sneaky drink so take it easy the first few times.
Palama Offline
#55 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
20 - Ty Ku Sake White - according to the little tag on the bottle, this was voted the world's best sake in 2010 (double gold) at the San Francisco International Wine Festival. It's good but my wife and I still prefer Silk.
T Z Offline
#56 Posted:
Joined: 05-28-2008
Posts: 3,120
Palama wrote:
20 - Ty Ku Sake White - according to the little tag on the bottle, this was voted the world's best sake in 2010 (double gold) at the San Francisco International Wine Festival. It's good but my wife and I still prefer Silk.

just picked up a bottle of the Ty-Ku good tastin stuff
Palama Offline
#57 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
21 - Ty Ku - my wife thinks this has a slight bite but we finished the bottle tonight.
Palama Offline
#58 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
22 - Mizubasho

Taking a line from Frank - I must be drinking most of the sake here.
ZRX1200 Offline
#59 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
God I can't remember the last time I had sake.
Palama Offline
#60 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
ZRX1200 wrote:
God I can't remember the last time I had sake.


Think
bs_kwaj Offline
#61 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214
At work having water right now, along with microwave spicy chili and some Cheez-it white cheddar crackers.

But.. after work... It'll be Kona Firerock or Longboard, and that's just if the cabinet with the Duvel is locked.

Beer

Palama Offline
#62 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
23 - Wakatake Onikoroshi ("Dragon Slayer") Junmai Daiginjo
Palama Offline
#63 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
24 - Kikusui JG Hiyaoroshi - initially I didn't think it had much taste but it is rather light. Think this would really go well with hamachi and salmon.
Palama Offline
#64 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
25 - Kikusui JG Hiyaoroshi - finished off the last of it.
8trackdisco Offline
#65 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,992
26- Makers Mark
27- Makers Mark
Palama Offline
#66 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
8trackdisco wrote:
26- Makers Mark
27- Makers Mark


Slightly wrong thread. Maybe a little too much Makers?
Palama Offline
#67 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Hmm, I guess I've been slackin' on this thread. Have had a few sakes since my last post, just never got around to posting them. So okay, kicking out 8's slightly misguided post (...sorry...) and listing:

26 - Silk

I could polish off the rest of the bottle but then there'd be nothing left for my wife tomorrow night.
frankj1 Offline
#68 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
time for me to search again. Liked what I've had but feel like no one around here knows enough to be much help in the shpos. Is price related to quality?
Palama Offline
#69 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
In my limited quest to find good sake, I would generally say yes but due to the popularity of the drink here and the Japanese population (...and tourist that come here...), think we have a broader selection that stays truer to the cost / quality equation. Pricing is probably in line with the perceived quality too. However even with that said, sake, like wine and cigars, is really a personal choice. My wife is sold on Silk and although I've bought more expensive bottles to try, she always circles back to Silk. The others were very good and I would say that the quality was there but in the end, the personal taste won out.

Ultimately the grading of the sake should tip you to the quality. Junmai daiginjo is all we buy these days (...let the elitist comments begin...) but paraphrasing a well known cigar saying, life is too short to drink crappy sake. Then again, since it's all personal taste, the grading could be thrown out the window if you find something you like. Idk, maybe the better grades give you less of a hangover? (...not willing to test that theory...Not talking )

Good luck and hope you find something you like Frank. Beer
frankj1 Offline
#70 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
thanks bruddah. If i can't find what I like, I'll start polishing rice at home.
Palama Offline
#71 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
27 - Kubota Manju Junmai Daiginjo - wow! This is good stuff! Dayum smooth, light, perfect with the omakase dinner to celebrate our 33rd anniversary.
frankj1 Offline
#72 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
28~Karatamba
had a glass with some great maki and nigiri in Hyannis tonight (vacationing on Cape Cod). Light and crisp, cool not cold, very nice.
Palama Offline
#73 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
frankj1 wrote:
28~Karatamba
had a glass with some great maki and nigiri in Hyannis tonight (vacationing on Cape Cod). Light and crisp, cool not cold, very nice.


Applause Applause Applause
namadio Offline
#74 Posted:
Joined: 11-24-2014
Posts: 1,621
Didnt notice there was a sake thread!!! My cousin was in town the other day so i busted out my novelty habu sake from okinawa. I believe its actually awamori though. Cant read the brand.. has pixture of snake. Contains snake.
frankj1 Offline
#75 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
this is in most recent Trader Joe's flyer...for $10, I might as well try it:

Joe-San’s Junmai Ginjo Premium Sake

Joe-San’s Junmai Ginjo Premium Sake
Region: n/a

Country: Japan

Composition: Pure polished rice, koji (cultured mold), and yeast with (no distilled alcohol added)

Tasting Notes: Fragrant, balanced, soft and subtle, unassuming and delicate

Story: For the sake (SAY-k) of argument, let’s say you’ve grown tired of grape wines. What to do? Sip some sake (SAH-kay). Joe-San’s Junmai Ginjo (JEW-my GIN-joe) is a good place to start. Junmai means “pure rice”—pure because no distilled alcohol has been added to this rice wine. It’s Ginjo (a premium sake style) because each rice grain is polished until 40% has been milled away, leaving mostly starch. The remaining grains are cooked, sprinkled with a special cultured mold (koji), and mixed with yeast to ferment. The result is a fragrant, delicate wine—one you must experience—for Joe’s sake (say it either way).

With: TJ’s Tofu Spring Rolls, TJ’s Super Spinach Salad, TJ’s Sushi Sensations Platter...

Availability: Joe-San’s Junmai Ginjo Premium Sake is currently available in Trader Joe's stores where wine is sold. It is $9.99 plus tax unless otherwise noted here: OR, WA, GA, FL: $10.99; NH: $11.99; OH: $14.49; CT, TN: unavailable. Alcohol availability & price may vary due to state laws, taxes, shipment fees & other such stuff.
Palama Offline
#76 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Dang it! No Trader Joe's in Hawaii! ram27bat
Palama Offline
#77 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
namadio wrote:
Didnt notice there was a sake thread!!! My cousin was in town the other day so i busted out my novelty habu sake from okinawa. I believe its actually awamori though. Cant read the brand.. has pixture of snake. Contains snake.


Can't remember if I've ever had awamori, probably not...but maybe next time I go to a shpo, will look for some.
namadio Offline
#78 Posted:
Joined: 11-24-2014
Posts: 1,621
Palama wrote:
Can't remember if I've ever had awamori, probably not...but maybe next time I go to a shpo, will look for some.

Found the stuffs https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habushu
Palama Offline
#79 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
29 - Born Select Junmai Daiginjo - very good but has more "bite" than Silk
frankj1 Offline
#80 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
snagged a bottle of the Trader Joes offering. Will report later.
frankj1 Offline
#81 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
30~ Trader Joe-san's (seems insulting!) Junmai Ginjo
soft, not especially floral or fruity, but smooth.

13-14% ABV

on Dry/Sweet they say +3 (medium dry)...I agree.

well worth the $10! I'll go back when I can and grab several if available...should ship well if I ever get round 2 out of here.
Palama Offline
#82 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
^^^ Going to Vegas in October, will keep my eyes open for it. ^^^
frankj1 Offline
#83 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
Palama wrote:
^^^ Going to Vegas in October, will keep my eyes open for it. ^^^

just remember, I said worth the $10
frankj1 Offline
#84 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
31~Hakutsuru junmai sake

15% abv, short money at Trader Joe's, was great with spicy tuna maki and caterpillar maki last night. drank it cool, not chilled.
Palama Offline
#85 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
32 - Kubota Senju Tokubetsu Honjozo “1000 Long Lives”

At Yohei Sushi, omakase night. Sake was very good, wife really liked it. We split a bottle. ThumpUp
frankj1 Offline
#86 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
20~ Horin Gekkeikan Sake...junmai daiginjo

think I stumbled into a good one
Palama Offline
#87 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
frankj1 wrote:
20~ Horin Gekkeikan Sake...junmai daiginjo

think I stumbled into a good one


Must be good, you can't even count correctly! Gonz
frankj1 Offline
#88 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
Palama wrote:
Must be good, you can't even count correctly! Gonz

you're making my point!
HA!
frankj1 Offline
#89 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
I figured it out. I hit quick reply from the bottom of page one...
frankj1 Offline
#90 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
Conan! A brand new sake brewery just opened in Waltham, MA, about 30 minutes away from me.

Dovetail Sake was originally planning to open last August but at the last minute the founders discovered a source for Yamada Nishiki rice in Arkansas, "the most sought after brewing rice in the world". This made them scrap their plans and start over.

They are releasing two versions, Nakahama Junmai which is filtered (16% abv) and the unfiltered Omori Nigori (14% abv).

The story in a local newspaper quotes one of the owners: "at the highest level you have Junmai Honjozo, which both of these are"...but they are totally different.

The Nakahama is "slightly dry and fruity, more complex than the Omori. But the Omori has a stronger,fruity flavor with a pronounced rice flavor".

I hope to have a personal account soon, and will add this to the box that is now 12 years overdue...unless this stuff is like a million dollars for a .375 bottle!
Palama Offline
#91 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Hope their distribution reaches the 50th state!

Wife has recently taken a shine to flavored sake - peach, lemon and another one (...strawberry?...). Tried one that was carbonated so seemed like I was drinking soda. Need to steer her back to "regular" sake.
Palama Offline
#92 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
34 - Kubota Senju Tokubetsu Honjozo “1000 Long Lives”

Somehow not as good as that night my wife and I split a bottle at the sushi bar...maybe drinking at home had something to do with it. Then again, wasn't eating fresh sashimi and sushi either. d'oh!
Palama Offline
#93 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
35 - Kubota Kouju Tokubetsu Junmai
Palama Offline
#94 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
36 - Tamanohikari Super Premium Ginjo

Really good! We haven't been drinking much sake lately but wife wants me to pick up another bottle so might be posting more frequently again.
Palama Offline
#95 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
37 - Tamanohikari Super Premium Ginjo

Can't believe we still had some left! We've been slacking!

Palama Offline
#96 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Been awhile....

38 - Nanbu Bijin Shinpaku Junmai Daiginjo "Southern Beauty"

Easily identified by the big "O" on the label.
frankj1 Offline
#97 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
don't know what sake was in the drink but had a saketini (vodka, sake, dry vermouth) at a great Japanese restaurant tonight.
Great meal, great drink.
Palama Offline
#98 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
39 - Kikusui Junmai Ginjo - at Restaurant Suntory for Father's Day dinner
Palama Offline
#99 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
40 - Kikusui Junmai Ginjo - someone gave our daughter a 1.8L bottle and she gave it to us. We'll be drinking this for a while. Beer
Palama Offline
#100 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
41 - Kikusui Junmai Ginjo - we keep working on it. Over half of the bottle is gone now.
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