Gekkeikan (Laurel Crown) Horin Junmai Daiginjo Sake

Brewed by Gekkeikan Sake Company (Japan), Ltd.
Style: Daiginjo
KYOTO Prefecture, Japan

The problem with Sam's Wine's sake selection is the ones that say Daiginjo on the label are actually sub-par Daiginjos. In the end, they leave their taster with the perception that he's had the best of Japanese sake and what was all the fuss about. Horin is an example of this. So is Kamoizumi Daiginjo (to be avoided). Horin is good - quite good - but it's at the bottom end of the Daiginjo spectrum for the following reasons. First, Horin has a hint of yellowness, which shouldn't be there in ANY Daiginjo. Second, Horin's from Gekkeikan, best known for crap sake, but we're going to rate it as if we don't know that fact. Third, the flavor: The alcohol nose doesn't materialize in the flavor like you'd think it would. But, there's little else in this one-dimensional, not-fruity, not-candyish Daiginjo to grab you. It's light, creamy and fairly delicate, but there IS alcohol there and it grabs you before it's down the esophagus. Never forget: you almost always get what you pay for, (unless you're drinking Ohtouka). In fairness, this Horin is better than 90% of sake out there, just don't expect it to compete with most other Daiginjos, and several Ginjos will beat the pants off of it.

This a good Daiginjo sake. Not alot of flavor some melon but is drinkable. Finishes very clean and dry. Very little hint of the 15% alcohol.

Currently available on American airline flights into/out of Tokyo - Served chilled. There’s a light aroma with faint rice and a little alcohol. The flavor is also mild with light sweetness and rice. It’s very smooth and goes down easily. To be honest I don’t know enough about sake to rate it competently, but this one was enjoyable.

Clear pale yellow-green. Dry, sweet citrus aroma that’s simply delectable. Definitely some watermelon. Alcohol is not terrible for a sake, a kick at the end but overall easy-going, sweet and yummy.

A very pale yellow body with an aroma of stale rice and some light sweets. Taste is very interesting, almost like a chocolate rice pudding. Sweet ending.

so i was at a hibatchi grill last night and i was complaining about how i dont like sake.the gentleman at the table next to us heard me and said "well ya just have not had good sake"so he bought us a bottle of this.i couldnt see the color but the aroma was very sweet.almost a watermelon/grape smell.i was surprised at how smooth it was with only a little alcohol burn at the end.more watermelon and grape in the taste,just like the aroma.i must say this was pretty good stuff

Sample from a Sake Flight at Fuji Jade Garden, State College, PA. This was interesting. Aroma carried a lightly phenolic or ester profile, as if in a Belgian yeast sense. Pours clear. In the mouth, this becomes more distinct, with some minerals, peppery notes, lemon rind and brandy-like mature fruit. This is all veiled by a heavy sugar content. This is dense and strong. Finishes on plum ripeness.

0.72 litre bottle bought at the brewery in Kyoto. Pale straw colour. Mild, slightly sweet and yeasty aroma. Peppery flavours, with some dark fruit, very warming alcohol, bready yeastiness. More powerful in the mouth. Cloying mouthfeel, hints of graininess. Nice complexity, starts soft, but soon shows a tougher side.