Norman

9.1

Kinoene Yawaraka Chi no Megumi — Junmai

Brewery: Iinuma Honke, Shisui, Chiba, Japan
Classification: Junmai
Rice: Gohyakumangoku, contract-grown in Chiba
Polishing: 68%
ABV: 15%
SMV: +3
Acidity: 2.1
Amino acid: 1.3
Yeast: Kyokai 1801 + Kyokai 1501

Brewer description: Made entirely from rice, koji and local underground water. Iinuma Honke describes it as an umakuchi Junmai with a velvety, mellow texture that emphasizes the natural umami of the rice, with a firm, flavorful body.

Tasted at Sake Day SF — 9/26/2026. Rating is limited since the same glass was reused throughout the tasting, making it difficult to get a truly clean tasting and accurate read on the aromas. — 6 days ago

Norman

9.0

Sake World 2024 Had to judge given it’s the same glass throughout the tasting. This did not stand out. I believed this is polished down to 30%. I would give it a shot outside of this environment. It’s hard for these light ones to get a fair shot in a reused glass. — 2 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

After a line-up featuring the likes of Aramasa, Yamamoto, Tatenokawa, and Ohmine, the Dassai 23 Centrifuge came off a little boring. As JT puts it, “It’s what I’d expect saké to taste like.” Then chef Alex added the darnest comment, “Doesn’t it remind you of soju.” Hahahaha.

Rich, round and heavy, with an almost sterile quality to the finish, it definitely wasn’t up my alley but I got to commend how lovely the silky textures were. Solid though - Dassai is Dassai, like how Dom is Dom. Reliability at scale. — 4 years ago

Daniel Evans

9.4

Clean, viscous, melon apple sweet, no burn — 4 years ago

Kim Kudasik

9.0

Crisp, light, smooth and dry. Dangerous because it goes down very easy. — 5 years ago

Rob

9.0

Had to grow on me, but ended enjoying it. Bit of a spicy finish if that makes sense. Good balance — 6 years ago

Anna Vocaturo

9.2

Very clean taste, slightly sweet, delicious with Hamachi and citrus 🌸 — 7 years ago

Norman

9.1

Tokyo Zakari Junmai Ginjo

Brewery: Koyama Honke Shuzo, Saitama, Japan
Classification: Junmai Ginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki 100%
Polishing: 60%
ABV: 15%
SMV: +1.5
Acidity: 1.5

Tokyo Zakari was originally created in the Taisho era with the name expressing hopes for Tokyo’s prosperity. Koyama Honke revived the brand in 2020. The brewery describes this Junmai Ginjo as combining the substantial umami of Yamada Nishiki with a fragrant, approachable profile and a balance intended to work well with food.

Pleasant and enjoyable, with good rice character, gentle sweetness and a smooth, easy-drinking profile. Liked it, but nothing exceptional or something I’d specifically seek out.

Tasted at Sake Day SF — 9/26/2026. Rating is limited since the same glass was reused throughout the tasting, making it difficult to get a truly clean tasting and accurate read on the aromas. — 6 days ago

Jonas Hartz

9.1

Sparkling by chance — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

Yamamoto Junmai Ginjyo No. 6 - a very thoughtful gift from KK. He clearly knows how much of a fan I am of Aramasa, the birth place of the No. 6 starter. Put that in the hands of another cult brewer in Akita (NB: both Next5 brewers), and you've got quite an intrigue. Drank side by side with two other No.6 peers from Aramasa, this was distinctly different. Richer and wilder, which made sense being a unpasteurized, undilluted brew of Yamadanishiki. The nose was all yeasty, with some topical fruits punching through. On the palate, it was rich and umami with a round glycerol opulence, yet all balanced by elegant green apple notes and bright acidity. I'm a fan, but it's got nothing on the Aramasa's on the table. — 4 years ago

Mike Smith

9.5

Wow. Viscous, earthy, acidic, a little boozy. Really good stuff. — 4 years ago

Kyle Harvey

9.0

Sake it to me baby - celebrating the new digs with some JG! — 5 years ago

hidehiko

9.3

甘ったるさはなし。
食後酒でも最高です。
炭酸もほどよくて素晴らしいと思います。 — 7 years ago

Norman

9.0

甲子 Kinoene “Umakara” Junmai, 磨き八割 (80%)
Dry, rice-driven, savory umami. The other one from the lounge which was decent. Not overly sweet, decent weight. — a year ago

Norman

9.3

Yamamoto “Gorgeous” Junmai Ginjo, using Yamamoto yeast. Nick thought this was the best. It’s definitely much bolder and flavorful. Only got a sip. — a year ago

A D

9.0

Nikko Ji nihonshu. Katayama Honke brewery, Tochigi Prefecture. Special label for purchase on the Spacia X limited express train between Tokyo and Nikko. 100ml bottle. — 3 years ago

Sven Simon

9.9

Most interesting thing I drank in a while — 4 years ago

Vicky Chen Keke

9.0

Excellent mixer with Japanese whiskey — 5 years ago

Manchester Sheldon

9.0

Very smooth and silky. A bouquet of the barest hint of soft flowers coupled with umami opened up into a velvety luxuriousness. — 6 years ago

Andy Tam

9.0

Paired with red meat of Tasmanian lobster — 7 years ago