Hachidori Junmai Ginjo "Hummingbird"

Stuart's Review:
Known as the “King of Sake Rice,” Yamada Nishiki is prized for its large grain and soft texture. Its starchy center and low protein content allow for precise fermentation, drawing out elegance and expressive aromatics. In Stuart’s hands, it becomes a layered, aromatic Junmai Ginjo that’s both savory and subtly sweet. You’ll find notes of honeydew, sweet raspberry, green banana, and jasmine tea. With a dry finish and lifted acidity, this Sake bridges the gap between nuance and drinkability—perfect for curious palates ready to explore more depth. WORD: Fascinating WINE: Anything natty BEER: Farmhouse, hazy IPA, Saison FOODS: Yakitori, burrata with tomatoes, roasted mackerel, miso-grilled eggplant, Arabic mezze

Beau's Review:

The nose on this “New World” Junmai Ginjo is a splendid collection of honeydew, berries, apple, river stone, white peach, honey suckle, cotton candy, anise seed, vanilla wafer, and white flower perfume aromas. Handcrafted by sake superstar Stuart Morris at the Shindo Sake Brewery in Yamagata Prefecture, this sake is both traditional and “new school”, which appeals to both sake enthusiasts and the wine world. A light, sensible, and very approachable sake with good acidity. Clean, light, water-like, elegant, silky, medium-bodied, with a dry clean finish, this brew is a whisper Ginjo that is flavorful and joyous. Look for berries-and-cream, vanilla bean, mint, powdered sugar, young guava, stewed pears, melon, cucumber, green apple, and citrus rind flavors that dance and shimmer on a light flow that is refreshing and professional. True Sake salutes Stuart, who is part of our family, and now we are part of his Hachidori family. WORD: Elegant WINE: Light Reds/Gentle Whites BEER: Light Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, lightly grilled chicken and fish, light pastas, oysters with lemon, hard dry cheeses, yakitori, and ponzu dishes.