Norman

9.2

Gasanryu Gokugetsu (雅山流 極月) — BLACK bottle

Brewery: Shindo Shuzoten, Yonezawa, Yamagata
Classification: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Polishing: 40%
ABV: 16%
Style: Gasanryu premium series

Brewer description: Elegant and refined, with a gorgeous aroma, clear delicate flavor and smooth texture. Designed to balance the fragrance and richness of Yamada Nishiki with a clean finish.

Tasted at Sake Day SF — 9/26/2026. Rating is limited since the same glass was reused throughout the tasting, making it difficult to get a truly clean tasting and accurate read on the aromas.

Very good and underrated. Excellent value. Not something I would bring to a serious restaurant, but I would absolutely buy it for home or at a casual restaurant. — 3 days ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

Super clean — 7 years ago

Miyako Shimba

9.3

スッキリ。サラサラ飲める。 — 11 years ago

Norman

9.2

Gasanryu Kisaragi (雅山流 如月) — BLUE bottle

Brewery: Shindo Shuzoten, Yonezawa, Yamagata
Classification: Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Polishing: 50%
ABV: 14%
Style: Nama-zume / single pasteurization

Brewer description: Light, clean and elegant, emphasizing a fresh ginjo aroma and smooth, transparent character with a crisp finish.

Tasted at Sake Day SF — 9/26/2026. Rating is limited since the same glass was reused throughout the tasting, making it difficult to get a truly clean tasting and accurate read on the aromas.

Very good and underrated. Excellent value. Not something I would bring to a serious restaurant, but I would absolutely buy it for home or at a casual restaurant. — 3 days ago

Norman

9.0

Gakki Masamune
• Brewery: Shindo Shuzo, Fukushima
• Style: Typically Junmai or Junmai Ginjo
• Profile: Gakki Masamune has developed a cult following in Japan, often described as approachable and silky. You can expect clean fruit notes (apple, melon), moderate umami, and a soft texture. Not aggressively aromatic like a flashy daiginjo, but well-balanced and easy to pair with food. Supposedly dry but I still found it to be on the sweet side. — a year ago

Norman

9.2

Ura-Gasanryu Koka (裏・雅山流 香華) — GREEN bottle

Brewery: Shindo Shuzoten, Yonezawa, Yamagata
Classification: Honjozo
Rice: Yamagata-grown rice
Polishing: 65%
ABV: 14%
Style: Ura-Gasanryu series

Brewer description: Designed around a fresh, fragrant character with a clean, light palate. Soft aromatics and an easy, refreshing finish emphasize drinkability rather than weight.

Tasted at Sake Day SF — 9/26/2026. Rating is limited since the same glass was reused throughout the tasting, making it difficult to get a truly clean tasting and accurate read on the aromas.

Very good and underrated. Excellent value. Not something I would bring to a serious restaurant, but I would absolutely buy it for home or at a casual restaurant. — 3 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.5

Clear, filtered- served cold in a box. This sake won a National New Sake Contest, squeezed from Dewasansan rice. Fuji apple, rose, grapes, and plump blue berries. What an interesting sake! — 6 years ago

Mark Bright

Partner/Wine Director Saison Restaurant

10

Shindo San is the man — 12 years ago