New Store Arrivals: Ohmine, Matsunotsukasa, Urakasumi, Fukucho, Banshu Ikkon

Ohmine 3 Grain "Omachi"
From Yamaguchi Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: N/A Acidity: N/A
The nose on this special sake is a glorious collection of peach, Asian pear, lychee, mandarin orange, rose water, lime, cereal, and steamed rice aromas. First of all, the brewers at Ohmine Shuzo love doing their own thing, and all of their brews drink with style, personality, and grace. So we were very excited for their efforts with one of our favorite rice varietals called Omachi. They hit their 3 Grain Omachi out of the park! It's excellent, and a very classy version of Omachi that's not to be missed. Soft, smooth, juicy, round, layered, expressive, lush, and silky with a dry finish makes this one of the most balanced Omachi sakes in the business. Look for nectarine, pear, apple pie, strawberry, pineapple, blueberry, jackfruit, and green fig flavors that roll on a super light, gentle, and balanced flow with a low ABV of 13% that is easy and refreshing . Great for beginners, and even better for the experts out there. WORD: Balanced WINE: Soft Reds/Fruity Whites BEER: Fruity Light Beer FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, crab, lobster, shellfish, steamed white fish, ponzu dishes, and grilled chicken.

Matsunotsukasa "Tosui"
From Shiga Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: N/A Acidity: N/A
The nose on this classy Shiga sake is a gorgeous collection of tangerine, snow melt, powdered sugar, blueberry, mango, Muscat, pear, and honeydew aromas. The gorgeous nose carries over into an equally gorgeous flavor field of ripe pear, rock sugar, kiwi, watermelon, strawberry, tangerine, minerals, and a superb vein of vanilla. Silky smooth, bright, round, buoyant, semi-sweet, with an off-dry finish, this sake drinks very elegant and balanced. And best of all, within all of the elegance and superb flavors, you'll find a deep umami attitude that makes this sake drink refreshing and complex, which is really cool! Chilled and in a white wine glass makes this sake magical. WORD: Gorgeous WINE: Elegant Reds/Refreshing Whites BEER: Vanilla Ales FOODS: Champagne fare, lobster, oysters, caviar, crab, shrimp, and complex hors d'oeuvres.

Urakasumi Black Label "M"
From Miyagi Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: +2 Acidity: 1.5
The nose on this special sake from a very special brewery is a fantastic collection of lychee, Jasmine, cantaloupe, apple, peach, lemon-lime, pineapple, powdered sugar, and spring water aromas. When a great brewery wants to make a great Junmai Daiginjo, you better take note. Made with Yamadanishiki milled to 45%, and using their special house yeast, one of the best master brewers in Japan has made a bottle of magic that is perfect for gifting and giving to yourself. Smooth, light, clean, and very nuanced, this brew is elegance personified with a velvety nature and a playful acidity that speaks to wine lovers. Look for white peach, rock sugar, grapefruit, honeydew, snow melt minerality, vanilla frosting, honey, and sweet rice flavors that cascade through the palate on a gentle and elegant flow. This is a terrific example of the premium Daiginjo category where elegance is found in nuance and subtleties. WORD: Elegant WINE: Soft Reds/Velvety Whites BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Champagne fare, oysters, crab, lobster, shrimp, sushi, sashimi, white fish carpaccio, and tofu.

Fukucho "Forgotten Fortune" 2024
From Hiroshima Prefecture. Junmai. SMV: +3 Acidity: N/A
The nose on this "one-of-a-kind" sake is a cool collection of melon, pear, blueberry, mango, mint, and flinty aromas. This could be one of the most important bottles of sake at True Sake, as it is a labor of love and pure sake passion by an incredible female Toji named Miho Imada. Single-handedly, Imada has brought a rice varietal known as Hattanso, which is very tall and difficult to cultivate, back into existence. She is the only maker in the sake world to brew with this unique and tasty rice. Semi-spritzy, clean, crisp, with a little acidity tingle, this sake drinks with body and emotion. Look for a vast flavor field consisting of melon, strawberry, mango, Asian pear, Mandarin, dried apricot, mint, powdered sugar, and citrus flavors with a saline finish. This brew drinks more like a Ginjo, and would appeal to wine drinkers who enjoy sipping a storied sake. WORD: One of a Kind WINE: Zesty Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Oysters, shellfish, silver-skin fish sashimi, white fish in ponzu, grilled chicken, grilled fish, and prosciutto.

Banshu Ikkon "Super Dry"
From Hyogo Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo. SMV: +7 Acidity: 1.8
The nose on this Hyogo brew is a slick collection of Asian apple, cinnamon, Sprite™, pear, steamed rice, and minerals. Are you ready for a "performance sake"? A what? Some brewers make a sake for a specific reason other than just tasting great. In this case, it's a sake made to drink dry, be dry, and do all the wonderful things that "super dry" sakes do! And yes, it's an Izakaya food pairing superstar. Spritzy, lively, zesty, and very dry, this brew is laser tight and refreshingly crisp. Look for crisp apple, Asian pear, lemon water, daikon, celery, and a hint of lemon-lime flavors like a refreshing crisp Sprite™, with a very nice under foundation of umami, and a super quick mineral finish. Made with Yamadanishiki milled to 55%, this is a higher-end dry sake drinker's dream come true. WORD: Dry WINE: Tight Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Izakaya and pub fare, grilled, salty, savory, fried, and comfort foods.