Entering the world of sake can be daunting. Only the classification and technical terms may have made you dizzy before you really start drinking. Not to mention there are over a thousand of breweries and countless types of sake existing. So, how can we find out our favorite? To help all beginners, Saketora has picked 6 excellent Daiginjo and 2 unconventional types that will let you understand more about the basic concept of sake. Let’s develop our palate by tasting and comparing all of them!
SWEET (Amakuchi) vs. DRY (Karakuchi)
SWEET (Amakuchi)
vs.
DRY (Karakuchi)
There are many ways to classify and differentiate sake. But what we must remember is “Daiginjo” is regarded as the highest grade. To identify the taste, we may begin with “Amakuchi” (Sweet) and “Karakuchi” (Dry). A sweet sake is relatively fruity, floral with a soft texture while a dry sake has a crisp, refreshing finish with a tingling sensation. When buying a sake, you may start by considering if you prefer more sweetness or dryness. The following are 6 outstanding Daiginjo that can help you understand more about the differences.
-SWEET SAKE-
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Prototype
Junmai Daiginjo
Gold at Fine Sake Awards 2020. Sweet and fruity with the flavors of pineapple and melon. Soft mouthfeel with a clean and refreshing finish. Easy-drinking and well balanced. Recommended to those who like tropical fruit.
DETAILS
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Irootoko
Junmai Daiginjo
Gold at Fine Sake Awards 2020. Fruity and floral with the flavors of green apple, pear and milk. Mildly sweet with a refreshing finish that balances the sweetness. Recommended to those who like stone fruit.
DETAILS
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Kuheiji
Junmai Daiginjo
Eau Du Désir
Adopted by Michelin 3-Star restaurants in Paris. Elegant, floral with the notes of grass and white flower. Sweet and mellow like honey with pleasant tartness. Recommended to those who like white wine.
DETAILS
-DRY SAKE-
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Hakutaka
Junmai Daiginjo
Adopted by the Ise Grand Shrine, Japan's most prestigious shrine. Rich in the flavors of cereal and white rice. With special brewing techniques used, it is rich in umami with cheesy aroma and a refreshing aftertaste. Recommended to those who want to try traditional style.
DETAILS
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Maboroshinotaki
Daiginjo
Brewed using one of the best 100 waters in Japan. Light, crisp and refreshing with the notes of minerality, citrus and green apple. Especially recommended in spring and summer.
DETAILS
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Tenko
Junmai Daiginjo
Produced in Akita Prefecture, one of the most famous rice-growing regions. Robust, complex and intense with the flavors of rice and peach. Recommended to those who want to try a full-bodied and rich sake.
DETAILS
Unconventional Sake
If you are looking for something luscious, you should not miss “Wakaze”. Their sakes are so unconventional and sweet that they can be mistaken as a dessert wine. Brewed with wine making techniques like maturation in oak barrels, they are rich, intense and can go well with many kinds of Western dishes. To enrich your tasting experience, 2 limited sets with free shipping are now released on Saketora: Galaxy Set and Universe Set. Galaxy Set includes 2 types of Wakaze sake and two elaborate sake glasses while Universe Set includes 2 extra sakes. Let’s explore the universe of sake with these special sets!
