New Store Arrivals - More and More Namas
We’ve been ringing the nama bell like crazy this spring at True Sake. Each month, we see more and more raw offerings and nobody is complaining. With this is mind, please say hello to four more unpasteurized brews that are all fantastic. It’s hard to choose, so take them all! I personally love the Katafune!
Click on the names of each sake to link to our website for purchase!
Fukucho “Moon On The Water” 2018
From Hiroshima Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama.SMV: +3 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this “namazake” is a lively collection of green apple, white grape, and pear aromas. Have you ever tasted Moon On the Water that we carry year-round? It’s lush and fruity. So imagine this brew not being pasteurized? Say hello to a very lively and spritzy sake that jumps out of the glass and into your palate. Bright, zesty, snappy, and so much fun. It’s super fresh, and almost like drinking straight from the fermentation tank. This new style of effervescent sake is extremely popular, and it works so well on a hot day for a refreshing picnic pop. There are juicy fruit tones including apple and young pear, and a hint of banana, but it’s all about the joyous fizzle and sizzle! WORD: Lively WINE: Beaujolais/Fruity whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Champagne fare, cheese plates, fruit plates.
$46/720ml
Rihaku “Origin of Purity” 2018
From Shimane Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu.SMV: +3 Acidity: 1.7
The nose on this seasonally released sake is a very interesting collection of rice, yeast, bread, and oatmeal aromas. This is a very smooth and round nama that has a very understated complexity. Soft, round, and rich there is a nice long tail with a touch of a sour element similar to a sourdough bread. There is a gentle astringency that the Japanese call “Shibumi” that also has a peek-a-boo peach tone. The richness is not heavy, but it drinks smooth and very Omachi-like. And best of all this savory sake is a great food pairing monster. WORD: Velvet (hammer) WINE: Pinot Noir / Meaty Whites BEER: Sour Ales FOODS: The kitchen sink! Anything salty and savory. Anything from the grill.
$36/720ml
Ama no To “Heaven’s Door” 2018
From Akita Prefecture. Tokubetsu Junmai Nama.SMV: +4 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this really cool nama is a gentle collection of pear, apple, sweet rice, and cereal bar aromas. Talk about one smooth nama! This unpasteurized sake is round, velvety, and almost fluffy in feeling. It’s one of those “feels good” in your palate sakes that also has very interesting rich flavors. It is unique in that it does not drink sweet despite having granny smith apple, juicy pear, and sweet rice hints that come forward as the sake warms in the glass. A larger glass brings out more action and if you dig deep enough there is a pear cobbler vein that is super yummy. WORD: Heavenly WINE: Rich reds/Juicy whites BEER: Honey Ales FOODS: Rich fare with complexity and salty/savory.
$39/720ml
Katafune “Lagoon Boat” 2018
From Niigata Prefecture. Tokubetsu Honjozo Nama.SMV: -5 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this AMAZING nama sake is a brilliant collection of apple, peach, rice, and grassy aromas. Wow! This is one of “THOSE” kind of sakes, which you must try in your sake lifetime. It is a great unpasteurized brew that is plump and juicy, and if you love the word “umami” then this is liquid umami in a green bottle. Velvety, soft, lush, lively and layered this brew is as “nice” as it gets. There are sweet rice, pear, melon, and apple hints that bob on the thick flow. It is technically a sweet sake, but it does not drink like a -2. If you like raw umami this brew is for you! One of the best namazakes in the past 5 years! WORD: Umami WINE: Plump reds/Fat whites BEER: Rich Belgian Ales FOODS: Comfort food killer! (Buffalo wings)
$36/720ml