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 35% 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.
Nishida Denshu Junmai 2025 "Country Squire"
light, modern, umami.We’ve been selling this hyper allocated and super popular benchmark Junmai sake for almost two decades, and have decided to update our review of th...
View full detailsTamagawa Junmai Kimoto "Time Machine 1712"
brown sugar, black sesame, silky.The nose on this recently reformulated historical sake is an enticing collection of mushroom, mochi, dried grass, cooked oranges, maple syrup, lemo...
View full detailsShirataki Noujun Uonuma Junmai "80%"
roasted rice, honey, special.The nose on this unique sake is a wonderful collection of butterscotch, caramel, and maple syrup candy aromas. Why is this sake special? Because it...
View full detailsHakkaisan Tokubetsu Honjozo "Hakkai Mountain"
dry, mango, chewy.The #1 rated Honjozo in Japan. This sake has a brilliant nose of spice, sandalwood, campfire, mushroom, and tropical fruit. The first sip spells a ...
View full detailsKirin Koshi No Takumi Tokubetsu Junmai "Sake Specialist"
rich, creamy, earthy.This Tokubetsu Junmai has a nose of mushrooms, minerals, and earth. A very light beginning warms up into a thinly rich middle, and ends with a nice...
View full detailsTenmei Junmai "Polar Bear Cup"
steamed rice, rich, dry.Smooth, rich, round, and dry this cup is a whole lot of ricey goodness. With a very good body it drinks with some solidness and there is a quick dr...
View full detailsAkabu Junmai
grapefruit, blood orange, easy.The nose on this cult favorite sake has steamed rice, corn, persimmon, peach, sweet carrots, and citrus aromas. Sixth Generation Toji Ryunosuke Fur...
View full detailsKirinzan Junmai "Flying Horse"
"dry water", clean, ricey.The nose on this prototypical neutral sake (not too fruity, not too dry) is a gentle collection of mild rice, mineral water, apple, wheat, and bals...
View full detailsBijofu Tokubetsu Junmai "The Gentleman"
papaya, grapefruit, easy.The nose on this special Tokubetsu Junmai is a very cool collection of pear, grapefruit, lemon, peach, mango, lychee, and apple skin aromas. Smooth...
View full detailsSuehiro Densho Yamahai Junmai "Ancient Method"
citrus, sweet rice, velvet.The nose on this superb traditionally made Yamahai sake is a gentle collection of rice, bread, and cocoa elements. Bingo! A great sake at a great p...
View full detailsGunma Izumi Yamahai Honjozo "Famous Fountain"
honey, nuts, balanced.The nose on this brew that is actually polished to 60% seimaibuai is a wonderful assortment of chestnuts, earth, cocoa, and butterscotch whiffs. W...
View full detailsOhyama Tomizu Tokubetsu Junmai "Special Water"
impact, silky, sweet rice.The nose on this Tokubetsu Junmai that drinks very much like a Ginjo is an array of white grape, apple, pear, cucumber, and berry essences. This is...
View full detailsTsuki no Katsura Junmai 2025 "Kyoto Iwai Rice 88"
ricey, quintessential kyoto.The nose on this sake that is back in the US with a new distributor is an amazing collection of sourdough, sunflower seed, peanut butter, hot choco...
View full detailsTenbu Junmai
juicy, soft, grape popsicle.The nose on this modern style Junmai is a mild collection of grape, mineral water, grains, and steamed rice aromas. Smooth, round, juicy, and soft ...
View full detailsMana 1751 Tokubetsu Yamahai Junmai Muroka Genshu "True Vision"
roasted rice, forest floor, savory.The nose on this special sake is an immense collection of earthy, musky, hoppy, burnt rice, and lemon peel aromas. Say hello to one of “Those” sake...
View full detailsShinkame Junmai "Holy Turtle"
rich, dry, aged two years.The nose on this Junmai that has been aged for two years is a vast collection of earthy, nutty, forest floor, steamed rice, and wet wool aromas. Ta...
View full detailsFuku Chitose Yamahai Junmai "Happy Owl"
smoky, roasted, earthy.Talk about a Yamahai nose! Sniff around for earthy, yeasty, stinky cheese, citrus, muddy, and wet wool aromas. Typically, a sake with this type of ...
View full detailsYuho Kimoto Junmai "Rhythm of the Centuries"
rich, bright, nutty.The nose on this traditionally made brew is a unique collection of nutty, earthy, leather, roasted rice, and sour lemon tones. This is a very tasty...
View full detailsWakaebisu Honjozo “Seven Gods of Fortune”
slippery, dry, nougat.The nose on this classic honjozo is a slick collection of apple, sweet rice, cream, marshmallow, pear, and mineral water aromas. Smooth, round, sof...
View full detailsYuki No Bosha Yamahai Junmai "Old Cabin"
balanced, quick, flavorful.The nose on this traditionally made sake is a collection of cooked rice, cream, chestnuts, cocoa and mint tones. A very balanced and tasty Yamahai ...
View full detailsGakki Masamune Honjozo Nakadori "Sacred Offering"
beautifully complex, juicy.The nose on this stunning Honjozo sake is a vast collection of orange creamsicle, blueberry, watermelon, Rice Krispies Treats®, peach, banana bread...
View full detailsYuho Junmai "Eternal Embers"
rich, umami, honey.Another rich and full bodied Ishikawa Prefecture Junmai with a nose made up of musky, tangerine, yeast, caramel, and cooked rice aromas. This is a ...
View full detailsHeiwa Shuzo KID Tokubetsu Junmai "Omachi"
balanced, graceful, masterpiece.The nose on this limited release masterpiece is a mild collection of raspberry, pear, peach, and citrus aromas. In a word, this is a very special e...
View full detailsIsojiman Tokubetsu Junmai "Omachi 53"
clean, bucket list, professional.The nose on this updated fan favorite brew is a gentle collection of pear, cooked apples, cream, nougat, and steamed rice aromas. Say hello to one ...
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