Gekkeikan is the #1 promoting sake within the U.S., and whereas its historic house is in Kyoto, abroad bottles are literally made in Folsom, California. Sake offered within the U.S. is comprised of native Calrose rice, so that you’re prone to discover some variations between native and overseas bottles, ought to you end up in a position to style them facet by facet.
Right here’s a have a look at three present Gekkeikan releases, all from the California operation.
Gekkeikan Junmai Sake Evaluate
You’ve seen this bottle loads of instances — inexperienced, with its unmistakable Kanji textual content and black-and-red floral border. It’s not rotgut. Somewhat, it’s a sake with loads of character, punching properly above its asking value: mild melon notes and a few blossom are the prologue to a palate that showcases a stunning creaminess, together with some white chocolate, matcha, and a pinch of nutmeg. It’s barely sweeter than anticipated, but it surely affords ample salinity on the end that helps it finish on a cleaning notice. An absolute steal at 6 bucks a bottle — it could possibly be the perfect worth in sake, interval. 14% abv. A- / $16
Gekkeikan Black & Gold Sake Evaluate
“Crafted like a blended whiskey, Black & Gold combines the perfect of Conventional and Haiku sakes, chosen by the brewmaster.” A heavy mixture of mushroom and melon greets the drinker right here, showcasing a surprisingly advanced mix of earth, fruit, and spice. In the long run, it’s the lingering melon notes that win out, touched with only a trace licorice, adopted by some lingering jasmine. The creamy, doughy physique retains the whole lot in test, nonetheless, ending on a nutty notice. 15.6% abv. B+ / $16
Gekkeikan Horin Sake Evaluate
A Junmai Daiginjo crafted with Yamada Nishiki and Gohyakumangoku rice. Barely gummy, virtually unctuous, this sake options introductory notes of vanilla and milk chocolate earlier than transferring into daring cantaloupe notes, barely salty. The end strikes extra into notes of pear, gently perfumed, although backed up by a barely gritty character that evokes seaweed and almond paste. Pleasurable however a bit on the unctuous facet. 16.6% abv. A- / $50
Gekkeikan Zipang Glowing Sake
USD6
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