Sake Showdown: A Battle of Greats

We are happy to introduce our new blog column called, "Customer Connection," a section of media on our website that features pairing experiences by avid sake drinkers, wine connoisseurs and sake industry professionals. This month we invited Matt Reifenberg, True Sake Alumnus and Sake Director at Roseline Wine Bar in Charleston, South Carolina to share his recent experience of Kuheiji Kuno Honten 'Kurodasho Tako' and Bijofu Junmai Daiginjo Yumebakari 'Dreamweaver.'

Read on to experience this epic SAKE SHOWDOWN! 

After my recent big purchase,  I wanted to try something a little different: a completely subjective take on some of my favorite brews at True Sake — and how they stack up against each other.

Now, full disclaimer: I don’t believe one sake is better than another. If you’ve ever seen the time, skill, and passion that goes into brewing sake, you’d understand why it’s impossible to make a definitive “best-of” list. Every sake tells its own story, and each one deserves respect.

That said, I do think there are ways to "power-rank" sake for the customer. So in this friendly face-off, I’ll be judging the brews on three criteria:

1) First Glass Impression – the initial "wow factor" of that first sip.

2) Second Day Character – how does the sake evolve with oxidation after opening. Does it get better or worse?

3) Cost Performance – does the experience justify the price?

With that said, let's dive in!

Bijofu “Dreamweaver” vs. Kuheiji “Kurodasho” 

Let’s start with two brews that sit in a similar category: terroir-driven, spritzy Junmai Daiginjos with minerality and structure that bring them closer to wine. And, yes, they are both GREAT.

First Glass Impression: Both of these sakes greet you with complete elegance.

Dreamweaver has hints of grapefruit zest and a flinty minerality balanced by a dry, champagne-like effervescence. You could close your eyes and wonder if this is sake or high end bubbles.

Kuheiji Tako is pure and clean / spritzy and wine-like. It’s crisp and slightly less complex, but that’s really code for a brew so refined, it practically drinks like water. And in the world of ultra-polished sake, that’s high praise!

• Dreamweaver: ★★★★☆
• Kuheiji: ★★★★★

Second Day Character: This is where things start to shift — and it matters! Most folks aren’t finishing a whole bottle of sake in one sitting (with the exception of yours truly), so how a sake holds up after day 1 is key.

Kuheiji takes an unfortunate step back on day two. The clean, pure character that made it so electric on the first pour becomes a bit muddled, and it loses some of its definition.

Dreamweaver, however, goes the opposite direction. Its fruit notes mellow and settle into the sake’s dry, mineral-driven structure, creating a more complete drinking experience. It takes a step forward.

• Dreamweaver: ★★★★★ 
• Kuheiji: ★★★☆☆

Cost Performance: Let’s get to the bottom line. Both of these brews are premium, and yes... expensive. But do they justify the price?

In my opinion: absolutely. Each drinks like a bottle that could easily fetch over $200. They’re refined, expressive, and bring something special to the table — whether it’s Dreamweaver’s evolving complexity or Kuheiji’s precision.

If you're going to splurge, these are worthy candidates.

• Dreamweaver: ★★★★★ $106
• Kuheiji: ★★★★☆ $135

But enough text, let's pick a winner:

The overall "winner" is Bijofu Dreamweaver 

Try these brews for yourself and you’ll likely fall in love with both; there's something exceptional in each glass.

*If you are interested in writing a 'customer connection' piece on your tasting experiences, send your ideas to info@truesake.com!