Norman

9.0

Kubota Suijyu (翠寿) Daiginjo Nama — Asahi Shuzo, Niigata, Japan

Technicals: Daiginjo • Nama (unpasteurized) • Gohyakumangoku koji rice / Niigata-grown kakemai • Seimaibuai: 50% koji rice / 40% kakemai • SMV: +4 • Acidity: 0.9 • ABV: 14% • Brewing alcohol added • Yeast: not disclosed • Amino acid: not disclosed • Low-temperature storage • Seasonal release: April–September • Recommended serving temperature: ~10°C / 50°F

90 pts. Light-bodied with a touch of sweetness. Delicate and clean through the palate with little weight or coating texture. A mild bitter/astringent note emerges toward the finish, creating a mouth-filling sensation along the cheeks rather than richness. The finish is long and persistent despite the sake’s light body. Aromatics are restrained when served cold. Happy that these are all pretty fresh. Brewed 05/2026 — 5 days ago

Norman

9.0

This was all part of our Sake Day 2025 experience. We only tasted 60ish sakes out of an estimated 450, so a small fraction of what was available. While I attempted to rinse the glass with water and stay hydrated it’s difficult to fairly rate in this environment and I use it solely as a time to try a wide variety and interact with the brands. — a year ago

Yuri

9.2

Perfect taste of autumn. — 4 years ago

Rajiv Patnam

9.4

Crisp, Clean dry sake with a slightly mineral finish. Floral flavors Really good. Pairs well with sushi or by itself. — 6 years ago

Hiroyuki Hikichi

9.0

Fruity and slightly hoppy sake with sashimi. — 7 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Notes of soy sauce, mushrooms and caramel — 8 years ago

Kei Iwashita

9.6

酸味高い、おいしいお酒 — 8 years ago

Norman

9.1

Ohyama Tokubetsu Junmai Nama – Summer Release

Brewery: Kato Kahachiro Shuzo, Yamagata
Type: Tokubetsu Junmai Nama
Rice: Dewa no Sato
Polishing: 60%
Yeast: Yamagata NF-KA + Kyokai 1801
ABV: 15%
SMV: ±0 to +1
Acidity: 1.45–1.55
Amino Acid: 1.1–1.2
Pasteurization: None (Nama)
Release: Summer seasonal

Lightly sweet with gentle umami and fresh acidity. Very light, almost water-like weight on the palate. Clean and refreshing rather than mouth-filling. Decent persistence on the finish, although the individual flavors are subtle and hard to distinguish. Finishes tight and clean. Balanced and very easy to drink. I like it. Paid $57 but it costs $13 in Japan. 😳 — 7 hours ago

Norman

9.1

It’s Hawaii. Drink it when you can. — 9 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.5

Aramasa strikes again! Although I did prefer the 2020 Lapis we drank this with, the 2021 Cosmos was no slouch. It had all the trademark Aramasa rawness and sapidity, as well as the textural weight and acidity I love. The Cosmos was rounder, more umami, more grain-focused, woodier, less exotic with its fruit notes, and had a perceivable bitterness. It was almost like a darker version of the Lapis to me. Put this altogether and the usual gone-before-you-know-it event ensued. — 4 years ago

Louis Martin

9.4

Full bodied and warmer than a traditional sake, paired beautifully with simple nigiri. — 5 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.1

Good stuff. Rich & smooth. — 7 years ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.8

Perhaps one of the best sake I have ever tried! It is an incredible sake with amazing length. It last easily 2 min on the palate! Never experienced such a depth for a sake. This kitaya (best Japanese rice) dai ginjo is some what equivalent to a great a great French white! Delight! — 7 years ago

with Rodolphe

Christina Burnham

9.6

Rob and Laura brought back from Japan for me. — 2 months ago

Lunett/ Yosshi

Sake Specialist Hasegawa Sake Shop Tokyo

8.9

Eiko Fuji Yaminarishuusui/ Yamagata prefecture, Japan/ Fuji Shuzo / juicy fizz sweet taste — 8 months ago

Christina Burnham

9.7

Really floral and fruity! Laura and Rob got me from Japan. — 2 years ago

Jason Li

9.3

sweet and attractive — 4 years ago

Gina Puente

9.3

Full pear, enjoyed it!! Would order again $138 — 5 years ago

Ma K

9.1

This is Haneya Prism, Ginjo, not Kirabi.
Brewed April of 2019.
Flagrance is not as strong, but smells like fruity mix of pear and melon. Smooth and fresh, very light body as it goes into mouth. A hint of bitterness comes well after passing throat. — 7 years ago

Hiroyuki Hikichi

9.1

Almost recovered from a disease! Moderately fruity and really rich Houhai — 7 years ago