Sake, with its rich history and intricate brewing process, is a drink that offers a world of flavors waiting to be discovered. Whether you're a seasoned sake connoisseur or just beginning your journey into the world of Japanese rice wine, understanding the distinct taste profiles of different sake types can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.

In this blog post, we will delve into the common flavors found in various sake categories, from the pure rice essence of Junmai Sake to the exclusive qualities of Ginjo Sake. We'll also explore the unique characteristics of Cloudy Sake, the raw nature of Unpasteurized Sake, and the complex, aged flavors of Aged Sake. Plus, we'll introduce you to the intriguing world of Kijoshu Sake, a unique variety crafted by substituting water with sake during fermentation.

So, if you've ever wondered, "How does sake taste like?" or if you're keen to explore the aroma, flavors, and tasting notes associated with different sake types, join us as we embark on a delightful journey through the diverse and flavorful realm of sake. Whether you're seeking a crisp and clean finish or a luscious, dessert-like experience, sake has something special to offer every palate. Let's dive in and discover the richness of sake's taste spectrum.

Junmai Sake

What is Junmai Sake?

Junmai (純米) refers to 'pure rice' in Japanese and represents a distinctive category in the premium sake classification. It signifies that all alcohol in the sake is derived solely from rice. When distilled alcohol (醸造アルコール) is listed in the ingredient list on the label, it indicates the sake does not belong to the Junmai classification. The production of Junmai sake exclusively involves rice, rice koji, and water. There are four distinct types within the Junmai category: Tokubetsu Junmai, Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, and Junmai Daiginjo.

What does Junmai Sake taste like?

Junmai sake offers a rich and complex flavor profile with a strong emphasis on its rice essence. It prominently features notes of freshly polished rice, with subtle undertones of toasted grains and a delicate nuttiness. In some expressions, you may even detect hints of matured fruits, reminiscent of ripe bananas or the comforting allure of apple pie. One great example is SHICHIHONYARI Junmai 80 (七本鎗 純米 80) from Tomita Shuzo in Shiga.

Depending on various factors, Junmai sake can exhibit a spectrum of sweetness, ranging from gently sweet to pleasantly dry. One of its distinctive characteristics is its elevated umami quotient, which adds depth and savory complexity to the overall taste experience. The elevated umami is akin to the savory satisfaction of a well-cooked dish. Junmai sake also tends to be characterized by a well-balanced acidity, which provides a refreshing counterpoint to its richness and makes it an ideal companion for a wide range of culinary pairings.

Honjozo-type Sake

What is Honjozo Sake?

Honjozo (本醸造) denotes a premium sake classification that incorporates a small amount of distilled alcohol for technical purposes. The inclusion of alcohol enhances the dissolution of flavors from the fermentation process, resulting in a more expressive sake with a typically crisp finish. Honjozo stands in contrast to the Junmai category. Within the Honjozo class, there are four distinct types: Tokubetsu Honjozo, Honjozo, Ginjo, and Daiginjo.

How does Honjozo Sake taste?

Honjozo sake offers a pristine and crisp flavor profile with a brief, yet satisfying finish. It typically leans towards a dry taste profile, often featuring subtle herbal nuances that evoke the delicate essence of white pepper and aniseed. Occasional sparks of citrus notes, such as the zesty brightness of grapefruit, the subtle sweetness of orange, or the refreshing touch of lemon, add a delightful complexity to the overall experience. For example MUTSU HASSEN Ginjo PINK (陸奥八仙 ピンクラベル 吟醸) boasts with fruity aroma with notes of melon and banana.

Overall, Honjozo imparts a light and clean impression, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a harmonious balance of flavors and a refined, approachable character. Its concise finish and nuanced herbal and citrus notes make it a versatile sake suitable for various culinary pairings and occasions.

Ginjo-type Sake

What is Ginjo Sake?

Ginjo (吟醸) stands as the most exclusive category of sake, crafted using rice with a notably high polishing ratio. Sake produced from rice polished to between 60% and 51% is classified as Ginjo, while those with a polishing ratio of 50% or lower are designated as Daiginjo.

What does Ginjo Sake taste like?

Floral and fruity aromatic impressions. More common notes are green apple, red apple, banana, melon, strawberry, aniseed, peach, and even some tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, or passion fruit. Gorgeous nose goes into an elegant and soft palate showing the quality of the premium sake. More likely to have just hints of acidity and umami with a light body.

Ginjo sake delights the senses with a beguiling bouquet of floral and fruity aromas. The nose is graced with an array of enticing scents, often evoking green apple, red apple, banana, melon, strawberry, and a touch of aniseed. In the realm of fruitiness, Ginjo transcends the ordinary, offering glimpses of exotic delights like pineapple, mango, and passion fruit.

This sake is a testament to elegance and quality, as its exquisite aromas lead to a soft and refined palate. It is a testament to premium sake craftsmanship. Ginjo is more likely to exhibit subtle hints of acidity, which add a delicate brightness to the overall experience, and a whisper of umami that enhances its complexity. Despite its impressive flavor profile, Ginjo maintains a light and graceful body, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a harmonious and sophisticated drinking experience. One of our favorite ginjo sake is TOYO NO MEGAMI Junmai Daiginjo (東洋の女神 純米大吟醸) with an elegant aroma of fruits and flowers.

Cloudy Sake

What is Cloudy Sake?

Nigori Sake (にごり酒) is the term for cloudy sake, which obtains its opalescent appearance from the presence of residual sake lees. These lees can be introduced either after the pressing process or by utilizing a coarse filter during pressing, allowing some of the lees to pass through.

How does Cloudy Sake taste?

Nigori sake offers a unique and indulgent experience characterized by its creamy and milky texture. This distinctive character is a result of the remaining sake lees, which impart a delightful richness and depth. The sake lees also contribute to a textured and slightly grainy quality that adds a delightful bite to the overall palate.

On the palate, Nigori sake may present a nuanced bitterness in some expressions, which harmonizes with its grainy and lactic flavor elements. These grainy notes provide a satisfying reminder of the sake's rice origins, while the lactic elements bring a touch of dairy-like creaminess. The interplay of these flavors creates a complex and captivating tasting experience, making Nigori sake a wonderful choice for those seeking a textured and indulgent sake with a hint of bitterness and a rich, rice-forward profile.

Unpasteurized Sake

Definition of Namazake 

Namazake (生酒), often referred to as unpasteurized sake, is a type of sake that skips the pasteurization step, which is typically used to stabilize the sake for storage. Namazake is brewed and bottled without the application of heat.

What does Namazake sake taste like?

Namazake is a vibrant and unpasteurized sake that preserves its freshness and liveliness in the bottle. It is a testament to the raw and unaltered nature of the sake, offering a unique and exciting drinking experience. In some instances, you may even encounter a delightful effervescence, contributing to a creamy and invigorating mouthfeel that elevates the tasting adventure.

Namazake distinguishes itself with a bold and rough-hewn taste profile, evoking a symphony of distinct aromas. These notes often encompass the freshness of herbs, reminiscent of a lush garden, as well as comforting nuances of milk and yogurt that add a creamy and comforting dimension to the palate. Alongside these elements, you'll find intriguing spices, such as the subtle heat of white pepper, which infuse the sake with a tantalizing complexity.

Namazake is a thrilling exploration of the untamed and unadulterated essence of sake, providing a sensorial journey filled with freshness, effervescence, and an array of captivating aromas that make it an exceptional choice for those seeking a truly unfiltered and lively sake experience.

Aged Sake

What is Aged Sake?

Aged sake (熟成酒) is sake that is matured at the sake brewery. Sake is typically aged for a few months before it's ready for delivery. On bottles of more mature sake, you can often find the brewing year when it was produced, typically indicated as BY2016, for instance.

How does Aged Sake taste?

Aged sake, a testament to patience and craftsmanship, offers a full-bodied and nuanced flavor profile. It acquires heightened acidity and intensified umami components with time, making it an ideal companion for rich, meaty, and umami-laden dishes.

Aged sake reveals a captivating array of flavors that have developed with maturity. The most common tasting notes for aged sake include the delightful presence of dried fruits, which exude a sense of preserved sweetness. Roasted nuts add a layer of toasty complexity, while hints of caramel and honey provide a luscious and comforting sweetness. Further depth is achieved with notes of molasses, evoking a rich, syrupy quality. In some exceptional cases, aged sake may even carry intriguing undertones of tobacco and soy sauce, further expanding the tasting experience.

Kijoushu Sake

What is Kijoushu Sake? 

Kijoshu (貴醸酒) is a unique variety of sake crafted by substituting water with sake in the fermentation mash-making process, creating a distinct flavor profile.

How does Kijoushu Sake taste?

Kijoushu, often described as a sake reminiscent of a dessert wine, offers a delightful symphony of sweetness on the palate. This harmonious sweetness is complemented by notes of succulent red apples, evoking the crisp juiciness of this fruit. Honey lends a luxurious and indulgent layer of flavor, while the presence of fresh nuts adds a subtle nuttiness that enhances the overall experience.

Kijoushu boasts a remarkable viscosity, imparting a full-bodied and velvety texture that envelops the senses. Its relatively high sugar content makes it a perfect choice for the grand finale of your dining experience, offering a sweet delight to round off your meal. The slightly lower alcohol content, when compared to regular sake, contributes to the gentle and approachable nature of Kijoushu, making it a harmonious companion for desserts or a splendid sip to savor on its own.

Conclusion

Sake, with its intricate categories and flavors, invites you on a journey of taste and tradition, from the purity of Junmai to the sweetness of Kijoushu, offering something for every palate and occasion.

We have also created a sake aroma cheat sheet for you to download helping you navigate the different sake aromas. You can download the sake aroma cheat sheet here.