Sake On-line – New “Stores” Within The True Sake Website (Special Discount)

What the hey? So instead of our usual “New Store Arrivals” section this month, we wanted to introduce you to a new page on the website. We call them stores within the store and it’s a great chance for certain importers or specific brewers to have a cool little on-line storefront where we can sell their brews and they can push people to us. As you know sometimes it’s hard to find good sake, so many importers say check out True Sake. But now they can say, “Check out our storefront at True Sake.” Good idea huh?

So we started this initiative with Enter.Sake and would now like to introduce you to our second “page,” which will house the sakes from Ichishima brewery from Niigata Prefecture. The owner of the brewery – Kenji Ichishima – is a friend of mine from way back before I became the first Sake Samurai. Kenji guided me through that process, so it feels good to return the favor.

We have selected 4 sakes for the page, but have access to many more if you are so inclined. Herewith are the 4 specially selected sakes from Ichishima Brewery:

Ichishima Futsushu
From Niigata Prefecture. Futsushu. SMV: +9 Acidity: 1,8
The nose on this delicious “table sake” is a warm collection of caramel, butterscotch, and steamed rice aromas. Who likes smooth? Who likes rich? Who likes smooth and rich sakes? Well here ya go! This silky and very well balanced brew has a great mouth feel and dances with hints of maple syrup, sweet nuts, and a kiss of honey. It is an extremely effective drinking experience made all the more special by the quality of the sake at such a “low” category. There is no better introduction to the Futsushu or “table sake” category than this brew and it does great at three temperatures. WORD: Silky WINE: Smooth Reds/Round Whites BEER: Rich Ales FOODS: Great for grilled street fare and things from your BBQ.

Ichishima Tokubetsu Honjozo
From Niigata Prefecture. Tokubetsu Honjozo. SMV: +8 Acidity: 1.7
The nose on this IWC Gold Medal winning Honjozo is unique blend of dried fruit, nutty, malty, wheaty, and cooked rice aromas. There is good reason why this is one of the most popular and sought after honjozo sakes in Niigata. It epitomizes the style and flavor of the region and it’s pretty damn drinkable too! But first a question. How can a sake drink rich AND dry? How can a brew drink full-bodied but clean? I don’t know, but it does! Talk about a clean and dry drinking experience, which is typical for honjozo sake, but wait add richness and lots of body and this sake separates itself from the pack. This is an extremely well balanced honjozo that has depth and span with layers of ricy richness and a hint of cream. Does great chilled and warmed! WORD: Dry WINE: Tight Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Brewer recommends oysters, linguini with clam sauce.

Ichishima “Silk Deluxe” Junmai
From Niigata Prefecture. Junmai. SMV: -38 Acidity: 2.0
The nose on this low alcohol fruity new world style Junmai sake is a collection of sweet rice, tangerine, and ginger aromas. Say hello to one of the most refreshing sakes in the sake world. It’s hard to believe that this sake is made of rice and water only without any fruit injections or additions. The result is a very drinkable, light and semi-sweet sake that appeals to those who like to have fun with a sake and don’t want all of the alcohol of a regular brew. This “silky” brew has a 10% alcohol level, and this makes this new style sake lighter and more juicy. There are hidden layers of citrus, ripe apple, melon, and sweet rice flavors. Just a very flavorful and fun sake that is a great “gateway” or introductory sake to those who say, “I don’t like sake.” WORD: Light WINE: Gentle reds and whites BEER: Light Beer FOODS: Fresh and lightly flavored cuisines.

Ichishima Ginnoyorokobi “Competition”
From Niigata Prefecture. Daiginjo. SMV: +5 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this true “Competition” sake is a splendid collection of white grape, pineapple, sweet rice, and floral aromas. Have you ever wanted to taste a sake that has been submitted to the National Japanese New Sake Competition? Well here is your chance, as Ichishima has released a sake that normally garners Gold Medals. Talk about elegant complexity! This baby is a pure professional sake. Clean, compact and yet expansive. Very aromatic, but extremely layered and silky. Look for mild fruit tones of blueberry, Muscat grape, and white raisin flavors on a fluid that is bright and pristine, but has an overall dry impression. Liquid gold is yours. WORD: Professional WINE: Complex reds / elegant whites BEER: Clean Ales FOODS: The brewery recommends sashimi, cheese, and grilled meats.

First a subtle warning! Sometimes importers make mistakes and they over order sakes. Then they make it a practice of not reordering until the sakes have been sold. But if you have a ton then this can take a long time and as you know sake doesn’t have a long time! This is the case with some of these Ichishima sakes. They are a bit long in the tooth! But they are still quality sakes and we approve of their durability and feel that they drink well!

Secondly, a bonus! Please take 15% off of your order of any of these Ichishima sakes as a token of our appreciation and a celebration of a new “window” in our on-line sake store. To get the discount use the code "Ichishima" once you get to checkout - talk about an introduction!