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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.

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    Nishida Denshu Junmai 2024 "Country Squire"

    light, modern, umami.
    In stock

    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...

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    Shirataki Noujun Uonuma Junmai "80%"

    roasted rice, honey, special.
    In stock

    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...

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    Ichinokura Mukansa Extra Dry Honjozo "Unclassified"

    dry, slippery, cantaloupe.
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    The nose on this extremely drinkable sake is a mild collection of sawdust, grains, mineral water, and breakfast cereal elements. This is a sake dri...

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    Hakutsuru Chika Sake Cup

    apple, gentle, quick.
    In stock

    The nose is a gentle collection of honey, melon, sweet rice, and fresh bread aromas. Talk about an easy drinking brew. Made by Hakutsuru Shuzo aka ...

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    Sougen Junmai "Samurai Prince"

    dry, juicy, essential.
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    The nose on this essential Junmai brew is filled with steamed rice, cereal, caramel corn, cocoa, and creamy elements. Sougen is a sake drinker's sa...

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    Kirin Koshi No Takumi Tokubetsu Junmai "Sake Specialist"

    rich, creamy, earthy.
    In stock

    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...

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    Kirinzan Junmai "Flying Horse"

    "dry water", clean, ricey.
    In stock

    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...

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    Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Honjozo "Hakkai Mountain"

    dry, mango, chewy.
    In stock

    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 ...

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    Ohyama Tomizu Tokubetsu Junmai "Special Water"

    impact, silky, sweet rice.
    Low stock

    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...

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    Suehiro Densho Yamahai Junmai "Ancient Method"

    citrus, sweet rice, velvet.
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    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...

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    Tsukinokatsura Junmai "Iwai"

    ricey, quintessential kyoto.
    Low stock

    Hold the phone, folks! This sake is made with one of the most expensive sake brewing rice varietals out there, usually used for Daiginjo sakes. But...

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    Akabu Junmai

    grapefruit, blood orange, easy.
    In stock

    The nose on this cult favorite sake has steamed rice, corn, persimmon, peach, sweet carrots, and citrus aromas. Sixth Generation Toji Ryunosuke Fur...

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    Gunma Izumi Yamahai Honjozo "Famous Fountain"

    honey, nuts, balanced.
    In stock

    The nose on this brew that is actually polished to 60% seimaibuai is a wonderful assortment of chestnuts, earth, cocoa, and butterscotch whiffs. W...

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    Shinkame Junmai "Holy Turtle"

    rich, dry, aged two years.
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    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...

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    Fuku Chitose Yamahai Junmai "Happy Owl"

    smoky, roasted, earthy.
    In stock

    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 ...

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    Yuho Kimoto Junmai "Rhythm of the Centuries"

    rich, bright, nutty.
    In stock

    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...

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    Mana 1751 Tokubetsu Yamahai Junmai Muroka Genshu "True Vision"

    roasted rice, forest floor, savory.
    In stock

    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...

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    Tenmei Junmai "Polar Bear Cup"

    steamed rice, rich, dry.
    In stock

    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...

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    Yuki No Bosha Yamahai Junmai "Old Cabin"

    balanced, quick, flavorful.
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    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 ...

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    Yuho Junmai "Eternal Embers"

    rich, umami, honey.
    Low stock

    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 ...

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    Urakasumi Honjozo Genshu "Misty Bay"

    rich, brown sugar, dynamic.
    In stock

    The nose on this dynamic genshu (19% ABV) has a collection of aromas from grains, steamed rice, and minerals, to butterscotch, burnt sugar, and roa...

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    Isojiman Tokubetsu Junmai "Omachi 53"

    clean, bucket list, professional.
    In stock

    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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    Tsukasabotan Senchu Hassaku Junmai "Great Plan"

    round, dry, creamy.
    Low stock

    "Great Plan" is one of those sake that break the mold. It's quite a dry brew, but doesn't have the typical sharp, staccato profile of a dry sake. R...

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    Tenbu Junmai

    juicy, soft, grape popsicle.
    In stock

    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 ...

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