| 151. Author: Palama | Date: Tue, 1/3/2023, 3:32PM EST | |
#82 - Hakutsuru Ukiyo-e Daiginjo
$20 from Costco…not bad!
We drank some of the bottle before lunch on NY day but forgot to post it.
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| 152. Author: Huzza3045 | Date: Mon, 3/27/2023, 7:06AM EST | |
#83 - Luminous Wonders (Tokubetsu Junmai) by Void Sake Company |
| 153. Author: Palama | Date: Wed, 3/29/2023, 10:34PM EST | |
#84 - Tedorigawa Iki Na Onna "Lady Luck" Daiginjo
Review by Stephen Allison
The Tedorigawa brand was introduced to me through the documentary The Birth of Sake. The film follows the brewery through a difficult six-month brewing season, which illustrates the skill and dedication required to brew sake in the traditional manner. The process is so demanding that brewers must live at the brewery communal style, removed from all distractions, in order to provide the proper attention to the developing sake. Separate from the review of their sake, I’d recommend watching the documentary – if nothing else, you will appreciate the level of effort required to produce a batch of sake using traditional methods.
Today, we taste “Iki na Onna,” which translates to “Lady Luck.” The industry polishing standard for the Daiginjo sake grade is 50%, but Lady Luck is not a sake to settle for the minimum – understandable given the level of detail and sacrifice the brewers pay to the production process. Made with Yamada-nishiki rice, the standard for Daiginjo grade sake, Iki na Onna is polished to a delicate 40%. This extra polishing and crafted brewing creates a sake with a mouthfeel that is velvety and round, but still soft with light acidity and subtle umami. A whisper of sweetness and generous 16-17% alcohol prevents the sake from feeling thin. On the nose, the sake carries aromas of honeydew melon, lychee, pear, cotton candy, and white tea. Pleasantly, while the weight of the sake dissipates crisply on the finish, its luscious fruit flavor lingers. Serve well chilled and enjoy with light, lean dishes. |
| 154. Author: Huzza3045 | Date: Thu, 3/30/2023, 8:08AM EST | |
Where do you get your sake? I feel like the options are so limited where I’m at. There’s either a few mediocre sakes at the liquor stores or sake from a brewery nearby.
I’d imagine folks are too busy drinking bourbon that sake doesn’t sell much in Kentucky. |
| 155. Author: Palama | Date: Thu, 3/30/2023, 2:38PM EST | |
Huzza3045 wrote:Where do you get your sake? I feel like the options are so limited where I’m at. There’s either a few mediocre sakes at the liquor stores or sake from a brewery nearby.
I’d imagine folks are too busy drinking bourbon that sake doesn’t sell much in Kentucky. Living in Hawaii with lots of transplanted Japanese nationals and Japanese-Americans does have its advantages when it comes to sake. A good adult beverage shpo will have, at the very least, a decent selection. There used to be a couple of sake-centric shpos but the Covid did them in. |
| 156. Author: Huzza3045 | Date: Thu, 3/30/2023, 4:18PM EST | |
Darn, had some good sake in Japan a few years back and now I can stomach the bad stuff. Luckily we have a good sake brewery that started up right next to me, so I can make it.
I’ll have to head to hawaii sometime to get the good stuff haha |
| 157. Author: Palama | Date: Thu, 3/30/2023, 6:45PM EST | |
Huzza3045 wrote:Darn, had some good sake in Japan a few years back and now I can stomach the bad stuff. Luckily we have a good sake brewery that started up right next to me, so I can make it.
I’ll have to head to hawaii sometime to get the good stuff haha Bypass Hawaii and go straight to Japan iffin' you REALLY want the good stuff. |
| 158. Author: Palama | Date: Tue, 4/11/2023, 11:28PM EST | |
Palama wrote:#84 - Tedorigawa Iki Na Onna "Lady Luck" Daiginjo
Review by Stephen Allison
The Tedorigawa brand was introduced to me through the documentary The Birth of Sake. The film follows the brewery through a difficult six-month brewing season, which illustrates the skill and dedication required to brew sake in the traditional manner. The process is so demanding that brewers must live at the brewery communal style, removed from all distractions, in order to provide the proper attention to the developing sake. Separate from the review of their sake, I’d recommend watching the documentary – if nothing else, you will appreciate the level of effort required to produce a batch of sake using traditional methods.
Today, we taste “Iki na Onna,” which translates to “Lady Luck.” The industry polishing standard for the Daiginjo sake grade is 50%, but Lady Luck is not a sake to settle for the minimum – understandable given the level of detail and sacrifice the brewers pay to the production process. Made with Yamada-nishiki rice, the standard for Daiginjo grade sake, Iki na Onna is polished to a delicate 40%. This extra polishing and crafted brewing creates a sake with a mouthfeel that is velvety and round, but still soft with light acidity and subtle umami. A whisper of sweetness and generous 16-17% alcohol prevents the sake from feeling thin. On the nose, the sake carries aromas of honeydew melon, lychee, pear, cotton candy, and white tea. Pleasantly, while the weight of the sake dissipates crisply on the finish, its luscious fruit flavor lingers. Serve well chilled and enjoy with light, lean dishes. Working on the other half. |
| 159. Author: Huzza3045 | Date: Wed, 4/12/2023, 7:58AM EST | |
#85 Void Sake Company “Ghost in the Green” Matcha Nigori |
| 160. Author: Huzza3045 | Date: Sat, 7/29/2023, 7:39PM EST | |
#86 Void Sake Company "Inquisitor" Taru Junmai aged in Spanish Cedar |
| 161. Author: Palama | Date: Sun, 12/10/2023, 9:53PM EST | |
#87 - Kikusui Junmai Daiginjo sake
Good stuff! |
| 162. Author: Palama | Date: Sun, 12/31/2023, 10:44PM EST | |
#88 - Kizakura Kyo-No-Tokuri Junmai Gold
With the gold flakes! |
| 163. Author: Palama | Date: Thu, 1/18/2024, 10:40PM EST | |
#89 - Sakari Junmai Ginjo
Iirc, I got this for $20. If so, this was a steal! Just gotta remember where I got it from. |
| 164. Author: Palama | Date: Sat, 1/27/2024, 12:52PM EST | |
#90 - Dassai 45
A few (small) cups at lunch yesterday. |
| 165. Author: Cheno | Date: Thu, 2/1/2024, 7:07PM EST | |
#91 - Tokubetsu Junmai "Yamadanishiki" |
| 166. Author: Palama | Date: Sun, 3/10/2024, 1:07AM EST | |
#92 - Kikusui Junmai Daiginjo |
| 167. Author: Palama | Date: Thu, 4/11/2024, 10:50PM EST | |
#93 - Islander Sake Brewery California Calrose Junmai Ginjo
Local brewery. Not bad but there is a slight woodie aftertaste. Interested in trying their other expressions. |
| 168. Author: Huzza3045 | Date: Mon, 4/22/2024, 9:01PM EST | |
#94 - Void Sake Company - He Who Slumbers
This is a Junmai aged in Eagle Rare bourbon barrels. It had a really nice woody/slightly smoky taste to it. |
