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Junmai & Honjozo

These dependable categories of sake are the workhorses of the sake world. 

The Junmai category is historically the “way sake was.” These brews can have their rice milled to many different levels from 80% with 20% removal to 65% with 35% removal as long as the milling percentages are on the label. The old norm was Junmai sake had to be milled to at least 70% remaining and 30% removed, but this is no longer the case.  The result is that some Junmai can drink very rich and full-bodied, and some drink lighter and more elegant. Just remember that Junmai also means “rice and water only,” and it’s a great center of the plate food pairing sake that is perfect for most cuisines from salty and savory to rich and robust, fried and grilled to baked and steamed, and from spicy to complex. Good for chilled, room temperature, warming and heating. 

Honjozo sake has the same rice milling standard that Junmai sake used to have 70% remaining and 30% removal.  The difference with Honjozo is that the makers add a little “brewer’s alcohol” to lighten the sake and clean things up. Honjozo sake is not fortified sake – it is not made stronger by the added alcohol – in fact it makes a sake lighter and more refreshing. This category of sake is perfect for easy drinking and easy food pairings.  Good for chilled, room temperature, warming and heating.

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    Suigei Tokubetsu Junmai "Drunken Whale"

    best selling dry sake.
    In stock

    This Tokubetsu Junmai is said to be brewed for whales that reside off the Pacific Coast of Kochi Prefecture. The nose is a collection of rose, wood...

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    Kenbishi Kuromatsu Honjozo "Black Pine"

    oldest brand since 1505.
    In stock

    The nose on this extremely famous Honjozo from the brewery that calls itself “The Oldest Brand Since 1505” is a dynamic collection of steamed rice,...

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    Akishika Junmai "Bambi Cup"

    cute and collectible.
    In stock

    Come on! Is there a cooler one-cup sake that is dry, compact, and extremely easy to empty? Talk about drinkable without thinkable! Light, clean, ne...

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    Otokoyama Tokubetsu Junmai "Man's Mountain"

    the ultimate classic junmai.
    In stock

    This Tokubetsu Junmai has an earthy yet sweet aromatic nose that borders on ripe fruit. The strength in this Junmai rests in its unmistakable dryne...

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    Yuki Otoko Junmai Cup "Abominable Snowman"

    dry, dry, dry.
    In stock

    The nose on this abominable snowman cup sake is a mild collection of cantaloupe, steamed rice, pear, and snow melt aromas. This is one of the most ...

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    Kaika Tokubetsu Junmai "Sanomaru Cup"

    pairs well with ramen!
    In stock

    Have you ever tasted dry water? This unique sake in a cup is clean and dry, with gentle flavors of rice and wheat toast. It is very even and balanc...

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    Nishinoseki Tokubetsu Junmai "Daruma Cup"

    a chewy cup sake.
    In stock

    A thick and chewy sake at its best! Fat and rich this brew is so fun and so smooth. There is a gentle rice sweetness that flows across the palate i...

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    Otokoyama Tokubetsu Junmai "Kimoto Cup"

    great food-pairing cup.
    In stock

    The nose on this classic cup is a full collection of steamed rice and snowmelt aromas. Say hello to "snowy Hokkaido" in a cup that is made using th...

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    Tengumai Yamahai Junmai "Dance of the Demon"

    great with a margherita pizza.
    In stock

    "Dance of the Demon" is another one of the "to-do" sakes on your list, as it is ultra-popular in Japan, and for good reason. This Junmai is constru...

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    Otokoyama Tokubetsu Junmai Namachozo Can

    pocket-sized dry nama.
    In stock

    The nose on this very cool looking can is filled with ricey, woody, and nutty aromas. This is an extremely user friendly can of sake. It is super c...

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    Tedorigawa Yamahai Junmai "Silver Mountain"

    a food pairing masterpiece.
    In stock

    This brewery has become famous for appearing in the movie called “The Birth of Sake,” but it was already famous for making some of the best sake in...

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    Masumi Okuden Kantsukuri Junmai "Mirror of Truth"

    classic 3-temp brew.
    In stock

    “Mirror of Truth” has a soft nose of mixed berries, melon, and earth tones. A semi-floral front is met by a middle-mouth filled with dried fruit fl...

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    Yukikage Tokubetsu Junmai "Snow Shadow"

    solid, easy, clean.
    In stock

    This "solid as your father" sake has a mild nose filled with green apple, bamboo, steamed rice, apricot, and pudding elements. Talk about a "feelin...

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    Wakatake Onikoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu "Demon Slayer"

    food-friendly, round, strong.
    In stock

    The gentle nose on this undiluted Junmai (18% ABV) is a mix of berries and green plums, with cinnamon and steamed rice elements. Think fat, rich, a...

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    Ura Gasanryu Honjozo "Koka"

    melon, best value, refreshing.
    Low stock

    This International Wine Challenge Honjozo Trophy winner has a grassy and herbal nose, with hints of white grapes, blueberry, and mint. How can a ro...

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    Bunraku Yamahai Junmai "Forgotten Japanese Spirit"

    a silky, smooth yamahai.
    In stock

    This traditionally made sake has a very unique nose filled with chocolate, cream, and wool elements. Talk about a smooth and soft sake! This brew h...

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    Shirataki Jozen Junmai "Aqua"

    named by true sake!
    In stock

    A very welcoming Junmai from a brewery known for their Ginjo sakes. The nose is filled with grain, cocoa, rice, blueberry jam, and crème brûlée ele...

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    Kibo Junmai "Hope"

    dry and very easy.
    In stock

    The nose on this sake with an incredible story is a gentle collection of steamed rice, forest floor, woody, and marshmallow elements. This sake is ...

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    Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai "Southern Beauty"

    iwate flagship sake.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this IWC Champion sake is a wonderful collection of pecan, almond, peach cobbler, apple pie, wheat toast, and creamy aromas. What can...

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    Joto "Graffiti Cup"

    yamadanishiki, super smooth.
    In stock

    The nose on this special cup sake is a great collection of pear, peach, melon, and sugar aromas. This cup is amazing! The owner of the brewery grow...

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    Huchuhomare Taiheikai Tokubetsu Junmai “Pacific Ocean”

    easy-drinking, tropical, fun!
    In stock

    The nose on this brew is a collection of steamed rice, grain, melon, and blueberry elements. The front label on this sake is actually a traditional...

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    Urakasumi Junmai "Misty Bay"

    perfectly balanced.
    In stock

    This Junmai fits perfectly into the category of medium-dry. It has a soft nose of rice and dried leaves, with a pale yellow sheen. Different temper...

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    Tamagawa Junmai Kimoto "Time Machine"

    brown sugar, black sesame, silky.
    Low stock

    The nose on this recently reformulated historical sake is an enticing collection of mushroom, mochi, dried grass, cooked oranges, maple syrup, lemo...

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    Atago no Matsu Tokubetsu Honjozo "Pine of Atago"

    iwc great value champion 2022
    In stock

    The nose on this incredible sake is a gentle collection of strawberry, cream, sweet rice, oat, raisin, and purple plum aromas. All sake is cool, bu...

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