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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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    Otokoyama Tokubetsu Junmai Miyamanishiki 55 "Sushi Booster"

    clean, crisp, easy.
    In stock

    The nose on this concept sake from the ever-popular Otokoyama Brewery is a slick collection of oatmeal, vanilla, brown rice, cinnamon, clove, and s...

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    Matsunotsukasa Kimoto Junmai

    chestnut, umami, mild.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this traditionally made pole-rammed sake is a unique collection of pecan pie, butter popcorn, rum raisin, nuts, and ocean water aromas....

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    Nagurayama Aizu Shikon Tokubetsu Junmai "Crane Castle"

    new from fukushima!
    In stock

    The nose on this inspired brew has a cool collection of peach, honeycomb, melon, pear, nectarine, rock sugar, and clove aromas. The importer calls ...

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    Hatsusakura Junmai Kimoto "Taro"

    green apple, brioche, nougat.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this traditionally made (pole-rammed) brew is a great collection of apple, sweet potato, mochi, steamed rice, lemon tart, Muscat grape,...

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    Takenotsuyu Yukihonoka Junmai "Silent Snow"

    toffee, marshmellow, silky.
    Low stock

    A whisper soft nose filled with skating ice, grape skins, and hints of cedar tones. A very gentle sake with a gracious amount of subtlety that resu...

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    Matsunotsukasa Kimoto Junmai "Kame Clay Vessel 2022"

    rare and/or limited.
    Out of stock

    There's not a lot of this in the United States. If you were even the least bit curious, I'd snag this now before it's too late. -Chris

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    Yuki Otoko Honjozo "Yeti"

    refreshing, dry, crisp.
    In stock

    The nose on this totally cool sake is a fresh collection of vanilla, crème brûlée, cotton candy, powdered sugar, and nougat aromas. Cool, Cool, Coo...

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    Den 90 Nama "Kimoto"

    oakland's first kimoto!
    Out of stock

    *NOTE: This sake is unpasteurized. We can ship unpasteurized sake, however it is at the customer's discretion. It's best to avoid shipping unpasteu...

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    Housui Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Cup "Old Mountain"

    rich, dry, warmed honey.
    In stock

    From the importer Sake Story: "Old Mountain" is a direct descendant from Japan's oldest brewing traditions. Yamahai starters require careful atte...

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    Shinano Nishiki Junmai “Wasanbon”

    miyamanishiki milled to 91.
    In stock

    The nose on this very cool Junmai is a wild collection of maple syrup, crème brûlée, cashew butter, pecan, burnt caramel, cacao, leather, and chees...

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    Tsukinokatsura Kasegi Gashira Junmai "The Provider"

    light, apples, tannin-like dryness.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this work of brewing wonder is a cunning collection of peach, Jasmine, strawberry, grape, green apple, fresh grasses, tofuskin, and n...

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    Housen Nami no Oto Kura no Hana Tokubetsu Junmai "Sound of the Waves"

    easy, magical, phantom finish.
    In stock

    The nose on this Miyagi magical sake is a cool collection of papaya, ginger, orange peel, blueberry, pine, graham cracker, nutmeg, and persimmon ar...

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    Shinano Nishiki Ippyo Okarakuchi Tokubetsu Junmai

    miyamanishiki milled to 61.
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    Chikurin Fukamari Junmai "Deep Field"

    3-8 year blend, solera style.
    In stock

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    Wakaze Junmai "The Classic"

    100% made in france.
    Out of stock

    From the brewer Wakaze Brewery: 100% French Junmai sake, the Classic is the spearhead of the WAKAZE range, made from Camargue rice, water and ...

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    Hatsusakura Junmai "First Love"

    bright, unique, apples.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this new and exciting brew is a bright collection of cherries, oranges, apples, pumpernickel bread. Have you ever wondered if a sake ca...

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    Brooklyn Kura Junmai Namachozo "Occidental Dry Hopped"

    aromatic, velvet, citrus.
    Out of stock

    From the importer Skurnik: Tasting Notes: Gorgeous nose of grapefruit zest, sake pours with a beautiful rose hue, lightly honeyed character with a...

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    Wakaze Junmai "Yuzu"

    100% made in france.
    Out of stock

    From the brewer Wakaze Brewery: Infused with yuzu, a typically Japanese citrus fruit that brings acidity but also a touch of bitterness, Yuzu ...

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    MUWA Bourbon Barrel Aged Junmai "Dream & Harmony"

    rich, cherry, toasted coconut.
    Low stock

    The nose on this very Californian sake is an amazing collection of bourbon, sherry, lime, oak, spice, lemon peel, apple cider, Madeira, and woody a...

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