{"title":"KJ","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" height=\"253\" width=\"343\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/7601\/files\/KJ-15.jpg?v=1715206473\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHello! My name is KJ, I am a wine \u0026amp; sake sommelier and educator here in the Bay Area. I first learned the ways of nihonshu at True Sake in 2016 while taking a hiatus from wine. I have to thank sake guru Beau Timken and the Jedi-level True Sake team for leading my sake education, which continues to this day! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSince my first stint at the shop, I’ve become a certified sake and wine educator for the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsetglobal.com\/\"\u003eWSET\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e I teach \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/sakesommelierassociation.com\/\"\u003eSake Sommelier Association\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e courses through \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sipfifthtaste.com\/classes\"\u003eFifth Taste\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and have written articles on the topic of sake for outlets including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" href=\"http:\/\/saketips.love\/tag\/kj-sakura\/\"\u003eSake Tips!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/en.sake-times.com\/author\/kj-sakura\"\u003eSake Times International\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. I have run beverage programs for multiple SF institutions and now host my own private events\/classes called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kerryjorizzo.com\/about\"\u003eSip Somm - Sake \u0026amp; Wine Tasting\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI like to say that wine is my first love, and sake is my soulmate. Unlike real life partnerships, I can happily keep both! 😜\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.truesake.live\/products\/tenzan?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=9842b75b1\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eTenzan ‘Mount Tenzan’ Junmai Genshu\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis sake is nothing short of mastery. There is absolutely no sake like it and it tastes exactly as I remember it from my first week working at True Sake years ago. Besides the pure nostalgia this sake evokes, it can be enjoyed at any temperature. When cold, it tastes like fresh cantaloupe; reminding me of a late summer essence with long days and warm breezes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt room temp, the sake reveals graham cracker notes with a miso backbone that melds seamlessly with the brew’s 18.5% abv. When this sake is warmed, it is all about robust umami and length.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTenzan Shuzo also makes the superb Shichida brand. I am a huge fan of all of their products, but this classic sake has no equal. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.truesake.live\/products\/gakki-masamune-honjozo-nakadori-sacred-offering?_pos=2\u0026amp;_sid=5b3ce3b77\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eGakki Masamune ‘Sacred Offering’ Nakadori Honjozo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery year I hunt for my new annual sake favorite. This year it’s Gakki Masamune Honjozo. It is a sake that captures the precious nakadori press fraction, which is considered the highest quality and most flavorful. This is a perfectly balanced sake with aromas of pineapple, melon and unripe banana on the nose, followed by key lime, vanilla and celery on the palate. It has a touch of sweetness and some zippy bubbles that give it a refreshing cream soda vibe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow this sake is $26 is a mystery to me. I almost don’t want to include it in my staff picks because I want it all to myself!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.truesake.live\/products\/kokuryu-tokusen?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=2450eadf9\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eKokuryu ‘Crystal Dragon’ Daiginjo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOkay, I have a slightly controversial secret to admit. As the resident wine nerd on staff, I tend to shy away from highly polished brews. When I am in the mood for fragrant and refreshing, I usually grab a bottle of one of my favorite aromatic white wines (gasp! I know…). BUT, some sake in the Daiginjo category (whether they are Junmai or not), make it so worth skipping my go-to whites. These include Senkin Snowman and the ethereal Dassai Beyond (both featured on this list), but one of my absolute favorites is Kokuryu Crystal Dragon. It has the faintest aromas of blueberry and melon, but its real expression comes through its fleshy, yet water-like texture. It slips past your palate in the most elegant and deliberate way. I encourage you to try this sake and appreciate its subtlety. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.truesake.live\/products\/dassai-beyond?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=b603abd27\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eDassai ‘Beyond’ Junmai Daiginjo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLet’s all stand up and give a round of applause for the gateway drug that is Dassai! This is the brand of sake that got me into sake and that desire has not ceased since. Some people like to poo-poo on Dassai due to its likeability and reach. We all like to take down a superstar in their prime, but we should remember to appreciate their contribution to the sake industry. They were one of the first sake brands to convince wine drinkers that sake was worth exploring. They have also made the incredibly bold choice to bottle ONLY Junmai Daiginjo across the board. Therefore, on your next special occasion (or startup sale), kanpai to the trailblazing brand that has influenced us all. Dassai Beyond is the most epic and expensive of the Dassai brand offerings and only once was I lucky enough to taste it. It was subtle and silky on the palate, but about two seconds into my sip, I suddenly felt as though a lilac was blooming in my mouth. So save up and taste that Dassai Beyond magic! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(*Disclaimer! If Dassai Beyond is out of your price range, I highly recommend Dassai 39, my other beloved brew in their lineup).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.truesake.live\/products\/yamamoto-yuzu-omoi?_pos=2\u0026amp;_psq=yamamoto\u0026amp;_ss=e\u0026amp;_v=1.0\"\u003eYamamoto Yuzu Omoi ‘Citrus Dream’ Tokubetsu Junmai Yuzushu\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI am not ashamed to admit that I love Yuzu Omoi SO MUCH, that manager Mei Ho and I planned a yuzu-fueled extravaganza where multiple yuzu sake went head to head. In my opinion, all of the yuzu-shu at True Sake are extremely good, but the ultimate balance of sweetness, tart acidity and pristine yuzu aromas belongs to the winner: Yuzu Omoi! Try it super cold or over ice with a sparkling wine float to crush your summer spritzer cravings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.truesake.live\/products\/kenbishi-zuisho-blended-koshu-junmai\"\u003eKenbishi ‘Zuishou’ Koshu\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen it comes to sake, I am an umami fiend at heart. That being said, no brewery harnesses umami like Kenbishi Shuzo. Kenbishi is arguably the most successful and sustaining company in the sake business; with a brand that has existed since 1505. With mottos like, ‘be a still clock’ and ‘if you are chasing the trend, you are already late,’ they have managed to make mind-blowing sake for over 500 years. In this rendition, 5 to 15 years of aged Kenbishi sake is blended to silky, caramel perfection. Using solely Yamada Nishiki, the king of sake rice, this is the most sophisticated and powerful koshu I have ever encountered. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"kokuryu-tokusen","title":"Kokuryu Daiginjo \"Crystal Dragon\"","description":"A delightful nose filled with blackberries, pineapple, purple grapes and Red Vines\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e™\u003c\/span\u003e. Another extremely well-balanced sake with hints of light honey and tea flavors. A unique dryness emerges with each sip. The overall feeling is a slide of gentle flavors. This Daiginjo is as good as it gets! \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWORD\u003c\/strong\u003e: Elegant \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWINE\u003c\/strong\u003e: Complex Reds\/ Dry whites \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBEER\u003c\/strong\u003e: Crisp Ales \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFOODS\u003c\/strong\u003e: Sushi and lightly seasoned dishes.","brand":"WSI","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":363828869,"sku":"JG27-02","price":52.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/7601\/products\/JG27-02_KokuryuCrystalDragonDaiginjo_720ml_1365x2048_WM.jpg?v=1637709386"},{"product_id":"yamamoto-yuzu-omoi","title":"Yamamoto Yuzu Omoi Tokubetsu Junmai Yuzushu \"Citrus Dream\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eOkay folks! Every once in a while, it’s fun to try a different type of sake and this is it. Basically this is a \u003cem\u003eTokubetsu Junmai\u003c\/em\u003e sake with all-natural yuzu (a Japanese citrus that is sort of lemony-orange) juice added to it. It is low in alcohol 7% ABV, and is considered to be sweet. The nose is obviously very citrusy and the first sip – after you smile – says that this is not a silly sake, but a very flavorful drinking experience. There is an abundance of fat and chewy (but not goopy) citrus flavors that are balanced by a firm acidity, all on a smooth and expansive flow. It is sweet, but not overtly so. This is not a cheap infused sake that you see out on the market with apple and lychee fake flavors. Rather, this a quality sake with quality yuzu added for an amazingly bright and fun mouth party. \u003cstrong\u003eWORD\u003c\/strong\u003e: Yuzu \u003cstrong\u003eWINE:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet Wines \u003cstrong\u003eBEER:\u003c\/strong\u003e Citrus Pale Ales \u003cstrong\u003eFOODS:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dessert, fruit salads.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JFC","offers":[{"title":"500ml","offer_id":363829571,"sku":"UN08-03","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/7601\/products\/UN08-03_YamamotoYuzuOmoi_CitrusDream__500ml_1365x2048_WM.jpg?v=1605154820"},{"product_id":"dassai-beyond","title":"Dassai Junmai Daiginjo \"Beyond\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis ultra popular brewery in Japan has a huge following, and for good reason – they make great sake. Their Dassai 50 and 39 and 23 are extremely well made sakes that drink velvety with layers of flavor. So it is no surprise that their super secret \u003cem\u003e“Beyond”\u003c\/em\u003e project is even better than the others. In a word – it is! Talk about a sake that is the perfect combination of feel great and taste great. \u003cem\u003e\"Beyond\"\u003c\/em\u003e is just that, it is beyond great. There are certain sakes that one should not miss in their sake drinking lifetimes, and this is one of them. When great sake makers claim that they have made a “great” sake, then you should take their word for it. Try this side-by-side with Dassai 23 to get a more complete experience. \u003cstrong\u003eWORD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Velvety \u003cstrong\u003eWINE:\u003c\/strong\u003e Round Reds\/Layered Whites with Soft Body \u003cstrong\u003eBEER:\u003c\/strong\u003e Creamy Belgians \u003cstrong\u003eFOODS:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you must, shellfish and oysters.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JFC","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":646534197,"sku":"DG59-02","price":590.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/7601\/products\/DG59-02_DassaiJunmaiDaiginjo_Beyond__720ml_1365x2048_WM.jpg?v=1603767728"},{"product_id":"kenbishi-zuisho-blended-koshu-junmai","title":"Kenbishi Koshu \"Zuishou\"","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMade with \u003cem\u003eYamadanishiki\u003c\/em\u003e brewing rice and aged between 5 to 15 years. The nose on this gloriously looking brew is a fabulous collection of caramel, butter, bonfire, marshmallow, soy sauce, sea salt, seaweed, maple syrup, stewed peaches, raisin, and bacon aromas. Round, smooth, velvety, rich and almost full-bodied, this “\u003cem\u003eKoshu\u003c\/em\u003e” drinks light for the amazing color. In a word, this is a very user-friendly aged sake that is a great starting point on your path to understand why brewers age sake. Look for hints of crème brûlée, black sugar, Hawaiian sweet roll, honeycomb, cocoa, white mushroom, smoked pickles, honey baked ham, chicken broth, sesame seed, and salted egg flavors that flow on a silky fluid with a very tasty savory finish. This is not a powerful \u003cem\u003eKoshu\u003c\/em\u003e sake, but rather it is full-flavored with a rich and not too heavy feeling which is appealing to those looking to explore aged sake. With an 18% ABV, it is also a very food friendly brew that takes sake to new complex, rich, and challenging cuisines. When warmed, this sake is like drinking liquid amber. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWORD:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Rich Light \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWINE:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Complex Reds\/Heavy Whites \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBEER:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Amber Ales \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFOODS:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Smoked meats, fish, and cheese, steaks and chops, cheese plates, turkey, pheasant, duck, holiday meals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JFC","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":42394386563315,"sku":"UN57-02","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/7601\/products\/UN57-02_KenbishiZuisho_720ml_1365x2048_WM.png?v=1644094621"},{"product_id":"gakki-masamune-honjozo-nakadori-sacred-offering","title":"Gakki Masamune Honjozo Nakadori \"Sacred Offering\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"im\"\u003eThe nose on this stunning \u003cem\u003eHonjozo\u003c\/em\u003e sake is a vast collection of orange \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecreamsicle, blueberry, watermelon, Rice Krispies Treats®\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, peach, banana \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"im\"\u003ebread, and flan aromas. Brewed with \u003cem\u003eYume no Kaori\u003c\/em\u003e rice milled to 66%, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethis sake drinks smooth, rich, plump, and expansive, but has an uplifting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"im\"\u003etingle and spritz that lightens the overall drinking experience. If a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esake could be refreshing, then this is as refreshing as sake can get! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLook for a ton of rock sugar, watermelon, kiwi, peach, honey, Pixy \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStix\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e™\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, berries and cream, lemon-lime, strawberry candy, and minerals, with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ea quick cereal milk finish that has a sneaky umami departure. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis sake is so good for the \u003cem\u003eHonjozo\u003c\/em\u003e category, and a terrific \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereminder that added alcohol sakes aren’t the devil! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eWORD:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Stunning \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eWINE:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Frisky Reds\/Uplifting Whites \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eBEER:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Crisp Ales \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eFOODS:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Crab, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elobster, sushi, sashimi, shrimp, fruit plates, oysters, and yakitori.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SKURNIK","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":43855224471795,"sku":"JH280-02","price":31.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/7601\/files\/JH280-02_GakkiMasamuneHonjozoNakadoriSacredOffering_720ml_WM.png?v=1691200450"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.truesake.live\/collections\/kj.oembed","provider":"True Sake","version":"1.0","type":"link"}