Rihaku (Wandering Poet) Junmai Ginjo Chotokusen Sake

Brewed by Rihaku Shuzo Co.
Style: Saké - Ginjo
Matsue-shi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan

Serve in Guinomi, Masu, Ochoko

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Courtesy of the local Vine Source rep Jason at a tasting. Another almost watery clear sake. Faint sweet fruits in the rice nose. Faint flavor of dark fruits and a smooth finish.

Sampled at The Cellar’s Wine & Spirits wine tasting. Pours a clear, still (with a touch of golden yellow) beverage. Aroma of some sweet pears, light cotton candy, and well steamed rice. Taste is almost neutal, maybe one click towards the sweet side with flavors of pear and flowers. Finish is semi-sweet, peppery with plenty of alcohol warmth.

Crystal clear beige color. Definite alcohol in the nose. Kind of lightly American whiskey smell. No sweetness. Warm alcohol. Grainy taste, very warm. Lightly sweet. Like a jack and water only different. Better than the only other sake I tried. But that was a futsu shu. Good for playing weaboo. But in general I dislike the sake mouthfeel. Though that’s not important.

300mL Bottle: Pours an egg shell clear color, just a vague tint of beige, light rings of bubbles and thin lacing. The nose is a bit grainy with some light cotton candy, anise, rice dust and traces of koji, no alcohol. The flavor has a light impact, a sweet soft acidity and light koji notes that just skip across the palate, never lingering. A light caramel and tappioca note in the end. Nice sake for an import. Clean, fragrant, subtle flavor, very light alcohol presence and low acidity in the tail. Very approachable. Nice light melon and kiwi in the nose as it breathes a bit. I could use a bit more aggression in the nose and a bit more umami overall. I see the puckering thing austinpowers was talking about here.

Clear, chilled, with a scent of rice dough. Definitely a "velvet fist" flavour with floral tones over a kick of alcohol. Fabulous.

Clear body with no tinting. Rice and grain aroma. Taste is rather nice, sweet with some light fruit, maybe some dough characteristics coming through. Slight burn on the back of the tongue in the ending.

Served chilled. Clear body. Aroma of sweet rice and alcohol. Sweet floral flavor with some vanilla hints and an alcohol edge.

Purchsed at the local Co op. The body was mostly clear with a slight yellow tint. That almost seemed to be part of my imagination. The aroma was sweet and floral with some strogn alcohol burn. There was also an earthy potting soil type note. The taste was relatively mild with grass and other plant stems. There was also rubbing alcohol in the finish. A little harsh, but still a decent sipper.

And my sake cherry is popped. Got this at the Pioneer Coop. 300mL bottle. Pours clear. Aroma is very sweet with a very light fruit essence (i know that sounds dumb but that’s how I’m saying it). Taste is plums and alcohol, also very sweet. Plenty of alcohol burn noted. Very smooth, full bodied. Like I said, it’s my first sake. If most sakes taste like this, I think I’ll be a fan. I’m not too big a fan of wine though, so sake is a pleasant surprise.

Devil’s Night at Mullman’s, bottle shared by Mullman. Clear color. Strong alcohol aroma with some pear and plum. Flavor of alcohol was also very prevalent, with some light fruitiness and a dry finish.