Japanese Sake List
Information on hundreds of Sakes, including photos of bottles, spec sheets, and brewery information
Kikusui Junmai Daiginjo
Kikusui Junmai Daiginjo
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Sakamai Kikusui
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 40%
Brewery Location: Niigata
Food Pairings: Fried White Fish, Sashimi.
Tasting Notes: Kikusui sake rice (father of the renowned Gohyakumangoku sake rice) had been all but lost to the world for half a century… that is until Kikusui Sake Company stepped in. They spearheaded the effort to revive this ancient strain from only 25 grains, and now attempt to pay homage to its legacy of elegance.
After they gently and methodically polished away the outer 60% of the rice grains, their brewers set to work and were rewarded with a pure, mellow aroma. The flavor is affable and light, and carries itself deliberately over the pallet. It is bolstered by the complexities and natural dryness brought to the table by the ancient Kikusui sake rice. Enjoy slightly chilled for a rare drinking experience.
Size: 720ml
Location: NY NJ Distribution, CA Distribution
Brewery: Kikusui Sake
Founded: 1881
Profile: Carrying 130 years’ worth of history on their shoulders, the Kikusui Sake Company is a brewery that fought to survive - and which ultimately flourished - in Niigata Prefecture. The name "Kikusui" is a reference to a Noh theatre play, wherein eternal life could be gained by drinking the dew (Sui) from the petals of chrysanthemums (Kiku) growing in secret pools on a mountain peak.
In 2004 they established the Kikusui Sake Research Institute in an effort to both raise the bar on the quality of their offerings and wrestle with concepts such as enjoyment of sake, and sake culture itself. They are proud to be the producer of their flagship product "Funaguchi" - Japan's first canned draft sake.
