Saké for Every Budget
Grab a small-format bottle for solo entertaining or save an elegant junmai daiginjo for a special occasion. Take a note from our staff with these six saké suggestions.
Kitaya, “Ai no Hime”, Sparkling Saké $10.96
Sometimes you just need things to be easy. No fuss, no muss, nothing but pure pleasure. Meet the Love Princess. This little nugget is nothing but a delight to drink. Lightly spritzy, delicately sweet, it teems with a juicy, thirst-quenching fruitiness, which, at 7% abv, goes down all too easily. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
Suigei Tokubetsu Junmai $24.99
Suigei (Drunken Whale) is an extremely versatile saké that shows off its nuances and complexities at many temperatures and in different contexts. Decidedly on the earthy and savory side of the great SMV (Saké Meter Value) divide, this Tokubetsu Junmai can be enjoyed chilled, room temperature, and warmed. Bright acidity makes this saké pop with seafood and minimal vegetable dishes. – Vince Grace, Assistant Buyer
Kimurashiki Kiseki No Osake “Miracle Saké,” Junmai Ginjo $35.99
Wow! What expressive aromas this saké emits—salt water taffy, Bartlett pears, a bit of creamy vanilla, anise. This light bodied saké with a hint of sweetness is a real delight to drink. Don’t miss out on the miracle! – Bambi Ray, Sales Manager
Mana 1751, “True Vision” Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Muroka Genshu – NV $41.99
This saké is a Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Muroka Genshu. Okay. Let’s break that down. Yamahai is a traditional, slow fermentation made without added lactic acid. Tokubetsu just means “special,” usually a brewer saying they are making a heartier style rather than a lighter style. Along with Junmai this gives the polishing grade: how much of the outer layer of each grain is removed, leaving behind the starchy heart. Here, polished to 60% and bottled with no added distilled alcohol. Muroka Genshu means unfiltered and undiluted but should not be confused with a cloudy, white Nigori style; this is just a little more raw, unmanipulated, with a hint of color. The core is intense, concentrated, with aromas of ginger, peppercorn, honeydew, and banana, all balanced out with umami flavors and a bit of natural acidity. Try it with tacos al pastor. – Jon Miner, Astor Wines & Spirits Sales Consultant
Toko Shuzo “Divine Droplets” Shizuku Saké, Junmai Daiginjo $89.96
The style known as Shizuku Saké really is one to behold, being a drip-pressed saké that focuses on pristine and silky texture with elegant flavors. By separating the saké from the lees through accordion-like canvas presses and letting it drip out slowly, it creates a soft mineral driven wonder with flavors of tangerine, white pepper, pear, with kisses of raspberry and mint on the finish that leave me in pure bliss. – Jose Banegas, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Toko Shuzo “Ultraluxe” Fukurotsuri Junmai Daiginjo Saké $124.99
In the glass, bosc pears, grapefruit peel, rose water, and ripe melon fruit jump out. As pretty as the nose is, the real star is an incredible balance on the palate. With lovely acidity, every aspect of flavor and velvety texture is perfectly weighted and gets its time to shine. Drinking saké I often find that you have to choose between concentration and elegance, but not here. – Jon Miner, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant