Sake Review: TY KU Junmai Ginjo

This junmai ginjo is also referred to as Ty Ku Black. It has been described as having smooth flavor profile with peach on the nose and a subtle hint of spice underneath.

I'll admit that I never noticed the peach, but the hint of spice was definitely there.

And interesting thing of note on this sake: when we first opened it for a tasting class, there were some unexpected things in the nose. We smelled a bit of sulfur that overwhelmed the experience. It was simply too difficult to break past that and enjoy the subtle flavors sake is known for. The stopper was pushed back in, and it went back in my fridge for a few days.

Then came the day when I experimented with making gyoza. The food was wonderful but I needed a sake to compliment it and only had this bottle at the time. It was opened, poured, swirled, sniffed, then sipped. The sulfur was gone. In it's stead was a wonderful assortment of fruits and mellow undertones that completely changed my mind about the initial experience.

I will pick up another bottle of this soon. I'll add to this once I do and let you know how it tastes. It's possible I had picked up a bad bottle. But the second time I tasted it, I enjoyed it tremendously. Thanks to the second tasting I now have every intention of giving this sake another chance.

- Brian

photo copyright Brian Hilson

Sake Label Reference Card

Here's a little reference card you can use to help decipher the Japanese characters found on bottles of sake. This is just the right size for an iPhone screen, although it will work on other phones as well. Download it, email it to your phone, then save it.

Sake Review: Kubota Manju

Ahh, Kubota. Where would I be without you? Kubota Manju occupies a very special place in my heart. This was one of the first ultra premium daiginjo sake I tasted, and it helped guide me onto the path I now travel. This particular bottle was the first I ever had and it will be going back into my collection of treasured empties ASAP.

As I yet feel unworthy to review this sake because of it's devine status (and my current head cold...) I'll quote Beau Timken of TrueSake in San Francisco. He sums it up perfectly:

"This is one of if not the most sought after sakes in Japan. Manju is sophisticated and yet very drinkable, perhaps too drinkable as the phantom finish leaves you wondering if you swallowed or not. The nose is a clever balance of honeysuckle and tuberose. The first sip spells the strength in clarity of this sake. Subtle flavors of fuji apple and tart pear dance through the cleanest mouth in the sake world." - Beau Timken, TrueSake

Someone once told me if you have no clue what to order, you'll never go wrong with Kubota Manju. They were right.

- Tim

 Photo copyright Tim Hoffman