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Junmai & Honjozo

These dependable categories of sake are the workhorses of the sake world. 

The Junmai category is historically the “way sake was.” These brews can have their rice milled to many different levels from 80% with 20% removal to 65% with 35% removal as long as the milling percentages are on the label. The old norm was Junmai sake had to be milled to at least 70% remaining and 30% removed, but this is no longer the case.  The result is that some Junmai can drink very rich and full-bodied, and some drink lighter and more elegant. Just remember that Junmai also means “rice and water only,” and it’s a great center of the plate food pairing sake that is perfect for most cuisines from salty and savory to rich and robust, fried and grilled to baked and steamed, and from spicy to complex. Good for chilled, room temperature, warming and heating. 

Honjozo sake has the same rice milling standard that Junmai sake used to have 70% remaining and 30% removal.  The difference with Honjozo is that the makers add a little “brewer’s alcohol” to lighten the sake and clean things up. Honjozo sake is not fortified sake – it is not made stronger by the added alcohol – in fact it makes a sake lighter and more refreshing. This category of sake is perfect for easy drinking and easy food pairings.  Good for chilled, room temperature, warming and heating.

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Kenbishi Kuromatsu Honjozo "Black Pine" 1.8L

oldest brand since 1505.
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All 1.8L bottles are for Store Pick Up. If this item is in your cart, you’ll only see the local pick up option—shipping will not be available. The ...

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MUWA Bourbon Barrel Aged Junmai "Dream & Harmony"

rich, cherry, toasted coconut.
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The nose on this very Californian sake is an amazing collection of bourbon, sherry, lime, oak, spice, lemon peel, apple cider, Madeira, and woody a...

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Maruishi Nito Junmai Yamadanishiki 65

shhh, secret word.
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Kikuhime Yamahai Junmai

dark chocolate, immense, masterpiece.
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This massive brew has a monster nose filled with chocolate, earthy, musky, soy-sauce, and aged-sake (koshu) elements. How can so much flavor be off...

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Nishida Denshu Junmai "Country Squire" 1.8L

light, modern, umami.
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All 1.8L bottles are for Store Pick Up. If this item is in your cart, you’ll only see the local pick up option—shipping will not be available. We’v...

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Matsunotsukasa Kimoto Junmai "Kame Clay Vessel 2022"

rare and/or limited.
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There's not a lot of this in the United States. If you were even the least bit curious, I'd snag this now before it's too late. -Chris

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Taiun Junmai 90 "Taichu-65"

rice-forward, rustic, rare.
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The nose on one of the most storied sakes today is an intriguing collection of green apple, lemon tart, lemon zest, grape, rice vinegar sunomono, a...

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Tenmei Junmai "Orange Label"

genius next level layers.
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The nose on this really cool Junmai is a slick collection of blackberry, peach, apricot, blueberry, and steamed rice aromas. Akebono Shuzo gets big...

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Takenotsuyu Junmai "Bamboo Tears" 1.8L

legendary, classic, elegant.
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All 1.8L bottles are for Store Pick Up. If this item is in your cart, you’ll only see the local pick up option—shipping will not be available. The ...

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Bijofu Tokubetsu Junmai "The Gentleman" 1.8L

papaya, grapefruit, easy.
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All 1.8L bottles are for Store Pick Up. If this item is in your cart, you’ll only see the local pick up option—shipping will not be available. The ...

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Sharaku Junmai

sharaku is finally here. please enjoy.
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The nose on this Junmai is a slick collection of white lilac, sourdough, black sesame, raisin, fern, daikon, and sweet rice aromas. Behold the fame...

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Hirotogawa Tokubetsu Junmai

stunningly well-balanced. easy.
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The nose on this excellent Fukushima (home to the national gold medal record holder in the International Wine Challenge) Junmai is an inviting coll...

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Seiryo Zen Tokubetsu Junmai "Surf"

soft, gentle, vibrant.
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The nose on this sake that is part of the “Surf & Turf” project is a cool collection of Asian Pear, rice powder, rice cracker, salt water, whit...

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Housen Nami no Oto Tokubetsu Junmai Susuru "Sake with Ramen"

plush, rice pudding, umami.
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The nose on this extremely ramen-friendly sake is a rich collection of buttered rice, sea salt, balsa wood, grains, sunflower seed, graham cracker,...

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Hachidori Junmai "Hummingbird"

the perfect gateway sake.
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Hachidori Master Brewer Stuart Morris's Review: This Junmai is Stuart’s ode to approachability and balance. Crafted with Dewa no Sato, a local Yama...

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Shinkame Junmai "Holy Turtle" 1.8L

rich, dry, aged two years.
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All 1.8L bottles are for Store Pick Up. If this item is in your cart, you’ll only see the local pick up option—shipping will not be available. The ...

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Kuncho Yamahai Junmai "NEXT"

full-bodied, mushroom, umami.
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The nose on this traditionally made “Yamahai” is a stunning collection of brown sugar, whipped cream, shiitake mushroom, caramel, almonds, leather,...

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Shishi no Sato Junmai "Chokara Super Dry"

grains, nutty, dry.
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Tenbi Tokubetsu Junmai "Kara Ten"

rich, dry, crisp.
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The nose on this clever New World Junmai is a slick collection of chestnut, white pepper, apricot, straw, goldenrod, and steamed rice aromas. We lo...

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Sohomare Tokubetsu Honjozo Kimoto "Shogun's Choice"

dry, clean, easy.
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The nose on this traditionally made Kimoto (pole-rammed) Honjozo is a very cool collection of green apple, pie crust, brioche, Asian pear, watermel...

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Tanzawasan Aged Yamahai Junmai Omachi Rinho "Cold Mountain"

creamy, bright, bold.
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Kamo Kinshu Tokubetsu Junmai "Gold Standard"

dried plum, brown sugar, peppery finish.
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From the importer Skurnik: Crafted in the full bodied style of Western Japan, this is an umami laden sake ideally matched with grilled salmon or ro...

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