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 45% 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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Shunnoten Tokubetsu Junmai "Fishermen Cup"
Tokubetsu Junmai$9.00The nose on this awesome looking “catch cup” is made up of mild steamed rice, rain, and mineral elements. Okay! Talk about a smooth operator! This ...
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Kenbishi Kuromatsu Honjozo "Black Pine"
Honjozofrom $11.00The 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 "Bambi Cup"
Junmai$8.00This "ultra popular" One Cup is exclusive to True Sake. Come on, is there a cooler one cup of sake that is dry and compact and extremely easy to em...
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Suigei Tokubetsu Junmai "Drunken Whale"
Tokubetsu Junmaifrom $14.00This Tokubetsu Junmai is said to be brewed for whales that reside off of the Pacific coast of Kochi. The nose is a collection of rose, wood, and gr...
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Otokoyama Tokubetsu Junmai "Man's Mountain"
Tokubetsu Junmaifrom $13.00This Tokubetsu Junmai has an earthy yet sweet aromatic nose that borders on ripe fruit. The strength in this Junmai rests in it unmistakable drynes...
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Kaika Sanomaru Cup Tokubetsu Junmai
Tokubetsu Junmai$8.00Have 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 balance...
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Nishinoseki Daruma Cup Tokubetsu Junmai
Tokubetsu Junmai$8.00A 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 Can "Namacho"
Tokubetsu Junmai$8.00The nose on this very cool looking can is filled with ricy, woody, and nutty aromas. This is an extremely user friendly can of sake. It is super cl...
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Tengumai Yamahai Junmai "Dance of the Demon"
Yamahai Junmai$30.00Tengumai is another of the "to do" sakes on your list, as it is ultra-popular in Japan for good reason. This Junmai is constructed the traditional ...
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Tedorigawa Yamahai Junmai "Silver Mountain"
Yamahai Junmai$34.00This 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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Ura Gasanryu Honjozo "Koka"
Honjozo$28.00This IWC Honjozo Trophy winner has a grassy and herbal nose with hints of white grapes, blueberry and mint. How can a round, lush, gentle, juicy, a...
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Yukikage Tokubetsu Junmai "Snow Shadow"
Tokubetsu Junmai$27.00This "solid as your father" sake has a mild nose filled with green apple, bamboo, steamed rice, apricot and pudding elements. Talk about a "feeling...
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Wakatake Onikoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu "Demon Slayer"
Tokubetsu Junmai Genshufrom $13.00The gentle nose on this undiluted Junmai (18%) is a mix of berries and green plums with cinnamon and steamed rice elements. Think fat, rich and cre...
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Yuki Otoko Junmai "Abominable Snowman"
Junmai$11.00This very drinkable cup sake has a very gentle nose made up of cream, rice, and a hint of wood aromas. This is a very light and very dry brew that ...
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Shirakabe Gura Tokubetsu Junmai "White Wall"
Tokubetsu Junmaifrom $10.00The nose on this Junmai is all steamed rice and earthy. Whitewall uses Gohyakumangoku brewing rice milled to 60% and this is evident by its deep ea...
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Kibo Junmai "Hope"
"Hope"$7.00The 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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Bunraku Nihonjin No Wasuremono "Forgotten Japanese Spirit"
Yamahai Junmai$18.00This 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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Masumi Okuden Kantsukuri Junmai "Mirror of Truth"
Junmai$30.00“Okuden” 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 flavors tha...
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Shirataki Jozen Junmai "Aqua"
Junmaifrom $8.00A very welcoming Junmai from a brewery known for their Ginjo sakes with a nose filled with grain, cocoa, rice, blueberry jam, and crème brulee elem...
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Genbei Onikoroshi "4 Eyed Devil"
Honjozo$4.00This ultra-popular restaurant Honjozo has a nose filled with steamed rice, grains, dried leaves and onigiri. Kyoto is known for their soft water an...
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Katafune Honjozo Cup "Wan"
Honjozo$7.00This “Woof Won Woof” dog bark cup sake is a very gentle and smooth walk on the easy side. Semi-sweet, rich, and creamy there are hidden treasure fl...
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Urakasumi Junmai "Misty Bay"
Junmaifrom $15.00This Junmai fits perfectly into the category of medium-dry. It has soft nose of rice and dried leaves, and has a pale yellow sheen. Different tempe...
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