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The aroma is fruity, led by melon, with an unusual resinous, slightly turpentine-like note and some spice. It has a silky texture and a rounded, fairly deep flavour, with the Yamada Nishiki giving it a fuller character. The acidity is quite pronounced, providing a clear contrast to the softer fruit and rice flavours. It feels well-balanced despite its depth, and finishes long, clean, and crisp.

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Appearance: clear, lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (melon), resinous notes, spice
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: medium+
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: melon, rice, spice, resinous notes
Texture: silky
Finish: clean, crisp, long
Quality level: very good

Fruity nose with ripe melon and pear, accompanied by a fresh citrus note. It has a velvety, fairly full texture. A brief touch of sweetness appears at first, but this quickly gives way to lively citrus acidity, with hints of orange peel and a gentle bitterness. There is plenty of flavour without the sake becoming heavy, and the sweetness gradually fades as it develops. The finish is long, clean and crisp, leaving a slightly dry impression.

We loved the satin-like front label! Nice touch!

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Appearance: clear, lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (ripe melon, pear), citrus, subtle rice notes
Sweetness: slightly sweet
Acidity: high
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: ripe melon, pear, citrus, orange peel, gentle rice notes, slight bitterness
Texture: velvety
Finish: clean, crisp, long, slightly dry
Quality level: excellent

This is our fourth take on Endo's Asashibori. My visiting family loved it the last time, so we were glad to indulge them again.

Keiryū Asahibori Shuppin Chozōsake is rich and quite powerful, with gentle sweetness and plenty of rice flavour. There is a slightly earthy character and a pleasant acidity that keeps the sweetness from becoming too heavy. At 20% alcohol, its strength is noticeable, particularly as it warms, but the flavours remain well balanced. The finish is clean, leaving a lingering warmth and richness.

Rich fruity nose with ripe banana, pineapple and green apple. Silky texture with a slight natural fizziness. The first impression is gentle and fruity, but the flavour soon becomes fuller and richer, with an earthy rice character underneath. There is enough acidity to keep the sweetness in check, while the light fizz adds freshness. The finish is long, clean and crisp, making this a rich sake that still feels fresh and well balanced.

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Appearance: clear, lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (ripe banana, pineapple, green apple), subtle rice notes
Sweetness: slightly sweet
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: medium+
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: ripe banana, pineapple, green apple, rich rice and earthy notes
Texture: silky, slightly fizzy
Finish: clean, crisp, long
Quality level: very good

A pleasant, slightly fruity aroma with the freshness of a ginjō sake and a creamy texture. It starts gently, before becoming fuller and noticeably spicy. There is some soft rice flavour underneath, while the dryness keeps it from feeling heavy. The finish is clear and clean, with the flavour lingering for a moderate length of time.

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Appearance: Clear, lemon-green
Nose: Clean, medium+
Aroma: Fruity, light ginjō notes, subtle rice
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Umami: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Body: Medium
Flavour intensity: Medium
Flavour characteristics: Gentle fruit, rice, spice
Texture: Creamy, smooth
Finish: Clean, clear, medium
Quality level: Good

Fruity nose with pineapple, lychee, white peach and cantaloupe. The sake starts gently, with soft sweetness and plenty of fresh fruit, particularly lychee and melon. There is a slight natural fizziness that keeps it lively without dominating the flavour. Despite the sweetness, it remains fresh and easy to drink, ending quickly with a clean, refreshing finish.

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Appearance: Clear, lemon-green
Nose: Clean, medium+
Aroma: Fruity (pineapple, lychee, white peach, cantaloupe)
Sweetness: Slightly sweet
Acidity: Medium
Umami: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Body: Medium
Flavour intensity: Medium+
Flavour characteristics: Lychee, pineapple, melon, white peach, gentle rice umami
Texture: Standard, slight natural fizziness
Finish: Clean, crisp, short
Quality level: Very good

A fruity nose dominated by fresh lychee. The sake is full-bodied with a smooth, silky texture, opening with noticeable sweetness before a strong, citrus-like acidity takes over. There is some gentle rice umami underneath, while the acidity gives the sake a lively, refreshing character. It finishes short, clean and crisp, making it particularly enjoyable on a hot summer day.

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Appearance: Clear, lemon-green
Nose: Clean, medium+
Aroma: Fruity (lychee, citrus, grapefruit)
Sweetness: Slightly sweet
Acidity: Medium+
Umami: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Body: Full
Flavour intensity: Medium+
Flavour characteristics: Lychee, citrus, grapefruit, gentle rice umami
Texture: Silky
Finish: Clean, crisp, short
Quality level: Very good

A fruity, slightly sweet nose with aromas of banana and melon. The sake has a soft, velvety texture, opening with gentle sweetness and rounded Yamada Nishiki umami. There is a mature depth to the flavour, but it remains elegant, smooth and well balanced without feeling heavy. The finish is short, clean and crisp.

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Appearance: Clear, lemon-green
Nose: Clean, medium+
Aroma: Fruity (banana, melon, pineapple), sweet rice notes
Sweetness: Slightly sweet
Acidity: Medium-
Umami: Medium+
Alcohol: Medium+
Body: Medium+
Flavour intensity: Medium+
Flavour characteristics: Banana, melon, pineapple, rounded rice umami, subtle mature notes
Texture: Velvety
Finish: Clean, crisp, short
Quality level: Very good

A gentle nose with delicate fruity aromas of melon, pear and white flowers. The palate is smooth and well-rounded with a silky texture, revealing soft sweetness, refined rice umami and moderate acidity. The flavours are well integrated, creating an elegant, balanced impression without excessive richness. It finishes clean and medium-length, with a refreshing crispness that invites another sip.

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Appearance: Clear, lemon-green
Nose: Clean, medium+
Aroma: Fruity (melon, white peach, pear), subtle floral notes, delicate rice
Sweetness: Off-dry (slightly dry)
Acidity: Medium
Umami: Medium+
Alcohol: Medium-
Body: Medium
Flavour intensity: Medium+
Flavour characteristics: Melon, pear, white peach, gentle rice umami, subtle floral notes
Texture: Smooth, silky
Finish: Clean, crisp, medium
Quality level: Very good

Subtle resinous notes accompany fruity aromas of ripe orchard fruit (mainly watermelon). The palate opens gently with a smooth, medium-bodied texture, revealing soft fruit flavours and a pleasant rice umami. A lively but well-balanced acidity keeps the sake fresh; a touch of bitterness emerges towards the finish. It ends clean, crisp, and medium-length, making it an easy-drinking sake that is particularly enjoyable during the summer months.

Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (watermelon)
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium-
Body: medium
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity
Texture: standard
Finish: clean, medium
Quality level: very good

A spicy nose with pronounced rice aromas and subtle earthy notes. The palate is smooth with a medium body, revealing rich rice umami and a savoury character balanced by firm dryness. Gentle warming brings out a touch of sweetness and additional depth without sacrificing its clean profile. The finish is short, crisp and refreshing, making it particularly enjoyable with food.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: spicy, earthy
Sweetness: very dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: rice, koji
Texture: standard
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good

A gentle, mild nose with subtle lactic notes and a hint of freshly steamed rice. The first sip is creamy and lightly spritzy, giving the sake a lively freshness. Smooth and well-balanced, it develops from a soft sweetness into pronounced rice umami before a gentle dryness emerges on the mid-palate. Moderate acidity keeps the flavours fresh without dominating, and the finish is short, crisp and clean, leaving the palate ready for the next sip or another bite of food.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: lactic
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium-
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: lactic
Texture: creamy
Finish: clean, short
Quality level: very good

The nose opens with aromas of ripe pear, complemented by sweet, lactic and subtle chocolate notes that hint at a rich, layered palate. The first sip is creamy and full-bodied, with a smooth, viscous texture. Ripe pear flavours and pronounced umami lead the way before firm acidity and gentle spiciness emerge to refresh the palate. It finishes long and clean with a delicate sour tingle. The interplay of sweetness, savoury umami, spice and acidity creates a remarkably deep and well-balanced character. Brewed from the exceptionally rare Senjōshin Hakumai (linearly white-cored sake rice) grown in Zōka, Hiroshima, this sake achieves its distinctive depth while retaining a fresh, elegant finish.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: ripe pear and sweet (chocolate), lactic
Sweetness: slightly sweet
Acidity: medium
Umami:
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: ripe pear, lactic
Texture:
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good

Fruity aromas of apple, pear and white peach are joined by notes of sour cream, with subtle floral and spicy nuances. The palate opens smoothly with a full body and velvety texture. Juicy, compote-like fruit flavours are balanced by gentle acidity and a pronounced rice umami. It finishes long, clean and well-rounded.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: Fruity (apples, pears, white peach) and sweet (sour cream), floral
Sweetness: slightly sweet
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium-
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: slightly fruity, sweet, rice
Texture: standard
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: good

This snow cellar-aged Junmai Ginjō has gentle aromas of rice, ginjōka and melon on the nose. This sake stands out for its smooth, understated character. The palate opens softly with a silky texture and medium body. Fragrant ginjō notes complement rich rice flavours, while a delicate fruitiness and gentle umami gradually unfold. The acidity becomes more pronounced towards the middle of the palate, followed by a subtle spiciness. It finishes cleanly, medium-length, with a touch of pleasant bitterness.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: ginjoka, rice, melon
Sweetness: very dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: slightly fruity, rice
Texture: silky
Finish: clean, crisp, short
Quality level: very good

A nose of dried fruit with gentle sweet notes. Crisp and elegant on the palate, it is full-bodied with a silky texture, opening with a clean yet soft mouthfeel and a slight natural effervescence. The underlying sweetness is balanced by lively acidity and remarkable dryness, while fresh fruit flavors add brightness throughout. The finish is sharp, clean, and refreshing.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: juicy fruitiness
Sweetness: very dry
Acidity: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: juicy fruitiness
Finish: clean, crisp, medium
Quality level: very good

Kinkon Daiginjō is the finest sake produced by Toshimaya Honten, one of Tokyo's oldest breweries, founded in 1596 in what is now Kanda. The brewery's flagship daiginjō, it is brewed exclusively from Yamada Nishiki rice grown in Hyōgo Prefecture and polished to 35% before undergoing slow, low-temperature fermentation. The sake forms the basis of Toshimaya Honten's entries to the Annual Japan Sake Awards (Zenkoku Shinshu Kanpyōkai) and reflects the brewery's highest level of craftsmanship.

The Kinkon ("Golden Wedding Anniversary") brand was introduced to commemorate the golden wedding anniversary of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, and has since become one of the brewery's most prestigious labels. It is also known as one of the sacred sakes offered at Meiji Jingū and Kanda Myōjin, linking it closely to Tokyo's cultural and religious traditions.

The sake displays an elegant ginjō bouquet with notes of melon and subtle herbal nuances. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet remarkably refined, combining a velvety texture with gentle sweetness, balanced acidity and a restrained bitterness that carries through to a clean, crisp finish. Despite its richness and an alcohol content of around 17–18%, it remains composed and well balanced. Best enjoyed well chilled at 5–10°C, Kinkon Daiginjō pairs naturally with refined Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi and sashimi, while its depth also allows it to accompany richer seafood and meat dishes.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: rice, melon
Sweetness: slightly sweet
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity (melon), rice
Finish: clean, crisp, medium
Quality level: excellent

Fruity ginjō aromata are complemented by a gentle rice character. The palate is smooth and well-rounded, with a full body and velvety texture. Delicate sweetness, moderate acidity and soft rice umami come together in a clean, crisp finish.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity, rice, ginjoka
Sweetness: medium sweet
Acidity: medium-
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity, rice, ginjoka
Finish: clean, medium
Quality level: very good

Sweet and fruity nose with lactic elements. Chocolate aroma. Well-rounded and smooth entry, full-bodied, with a creamy texture. The mouthfeel is marked by an elegant and light sweetness, with flavours reminiscent of ripe fruit and a refreshing, clean finish.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity, lactic
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: ripe fruit, lactic
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good

Pronounced aromas of alcohol and rice greet the nose.

The first sip is unexpectedly smooth and gentle. It is full-bodied with a velvety texture and a hint of sweetness that soon gives way to lively acidity, balanced by a slight bitterness. The rice umami is pronounced. The finish is long and crisp, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Although the weather was still hot and humid during the rainy season, we could not resist warming it to nurukan. The result was remarkable. With its sharp edge softened, the sake revealed a milder, slightly sweeter side, developing a rich, full-bodied character with the savoury umami of rice coming to the fore. It paired particularly well with food and worked equally well with hearty Japanese and Western dishes.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: Rice, grain
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: rice, grain, koji
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good