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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

Before opening, chill the bottle thoroughly and release the pressure slowly to prevent the sake from overflowing. It pours cloudy, with a moderate amount of lees. The nose is dominated by lactic aromas reminiscent of yoghurt and fresh cream. On the palate, it is creamy yet refreshing, with delicate fruity sweetness. Light-bodied and dry, it has a refined, clean character. Crisp and elegant, it finishes short and clean.

This is one of the best sparkling sakes we have tasted so far—unpretentious, honest, and exceptionally well-balanced.

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Appearance: medium lees, colourless, off-white
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: lactic
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Mousse: creamy
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: melon, spicy, rice
Finish: clean, short
Quality level: excellent

Rich aromas of rice and kōji are accompanied by fresh notes of melon, along with gentle spicy and sweet nuances. Chilled, the sake has a crisp, lively opening with a full body and silky texture. Moderate sweetness is balanced by pronounced rice flavours and a generous umami character, while a touch of acidity and light bitterness add freshness towards the finish. The aftertaste is clean and lingering. As the sake approaches room temperature, its sweetness becomes more noticeable, revealing a softer, rounder character.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: spicy, rice, fruity (melon)
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: melon, spicy, rice
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good

Subtle herbal notes and hints of rice join spicy aromas. The palate opens crisp and well defined, with a full body and silky texture. Served well chilled, it shows a clean, spicy character. As it gradually warms to room temperature, additional flavours emerge, particularly notes of rice and kōji, giving the sake greater depth and complexity.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green.
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: spicy, herbal, rice
Sweetness: markedly dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: spicy, rice, herbal
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good

We first tried this sake earlier this year, and our impression has changed very little. The aroma is sweet and lactic, with pronounced notes of kōji. It has a creamy, cloudy texture with a soft mouthfeel and gentle natural effervescence. Moderate sweetness is balanced by fresh acidity and a pronounced rice flavour. The finish is long and pleasant, and despite its richness, it remains surprisingly easy to drink.

A gentle nose of dried fruit with subtle herbal notes. The palate opens rich and creamy, with a silky texture and full body. The first impression is led by bright acidity, followed by a pleasant underlying sweetness and a deep, herbaceous character. Well-rounded umami develops as it opens up, and the sake finishes clean, crisp and surprisingly long.

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Appearance: clear and golden
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity, spicy, rice, herbs
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity, spicy, rice, herbal
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: excellent

A light fruity nose with a touch of spice. On the palate, however, the sake felt rather thin and slightly watered down, lacking the depth we had expected. It remained clean and easy to drink, but left little impression. It may be intended as a very light summer sake, although that style is not really to our taste. Overall, we found it pleasant enough, but not particularly memorable.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity, spicy
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: fruity, sweet, rice
Finish: clean, medium
Quality level: acceptable

A gentle fruity nose with notes of green apple and pear, alongside a noticeable touch of alcohol. The palate is just as soft on entry. Although full-bodied, it remains light on its feet, with a smooth, almost velvety texture and a slight natural spritz. Fresh fruit flavours are balanced by pleasant umami and a clean, crisp finish. It manages to combine richness with elegance remarkably well. One of Akazakura's most impressive recent releases and a worthy flagship for the brewery.

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

Kinkon Junmaishu (金婚 純米酒) is one of the flagship products of Toshimaya Shuzō, the brewing arm of Toshimaya Honten, the historic Tokyo sake merchant founded in 1596. The brand name Kinkon ("Golden Wedding") was adopted during the Meiji period to commemorate the golden wedding anniversary of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken and has remained the brewery's best-known label ever since.

A nose with aromata of dried fruit and a distinctive note of narazuke (pickled vegetables). Full-bodied and smooth, it has a pleasant richness balanced by gentle acidity. The rice flavour comes through clearly without becoming heavy, and the finish is clean and fairly short. As the sake warms towards room temperature, its umami becomes more noticeable, adding extra depth. Overall, this is a traditional, well-balanced junmai that is easy to enjoy both on its own and with a meal.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: dried fruits, narazuke pickles
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: dried fruits, rice
Finish: clean, medium
Quality level: very good

The sake shows a fruity aroma with light herbal and pine-like notes. It is medium-bodied, with moderate sweetness, subtle spice and a gentle acidity that gives it a clean finish. Its fresh, unpasteurised character makes it a typical example of a summer namazake.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity, herbal, pine
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity, spicy
Finish: clean, medium
Quality level: very good

A sweet, fruity nose with hints of green apple, white peach, banana, and other orchard fruits. The entry is soft and gentle, leading into a full body with a creamy texture. On the palate, sweetness is balanced by moderate acidity and deep umami, while a slight natural effervescence adds freshness and vibrancy. The concentrated flavours spread smoothly across the palate, finishing clean and crisp. Although bottled at its original strength, it never feels overly heavy.

Brewed from Hattan Nishiki rice polished to 50% and fermented with an aromatic yeast, the sake displays an expressive ginjō bouquet and a well-balanced combination of sweetness, umami, and freshness. The brewery describes it as Muchōsei Nama (無調整生), meaning it is bottled without adjustment after pressing.

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

A gentle nose with hints of dried fruit, rice, and alcohol.

The entry is smooth and full-bodied, with a creamy texture that never feels too heavy. An initial sweetness quickly gives way to lively acidity and rich rice flavours. The finish is clean and medium-length. Well-balanced throughout, it works equally well on its own or alongside food.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: dried fruits, alcohol, rice
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium+
Alcohol: medium
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: dried fruit, rice, koji
Finish: clean, medium
Quality level: good

A fruity aroma of white grapes and green apples rises from the glass.

The entry is smooth and elegant, leading into a full body with a velvety texture. Initial sweet fruit notes are balanced by refreshing, crisp acidity and a slight natural effervescence. The palate is deep and richly flavoured, yet remains refined throughout. The finish is long, clean, and crisp, ending with a pleasant sour tingle. This is a superb seasonal release available only in March.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity (white grapes, green apples), ginjoka
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity, ginjoka
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good

Aromas of ripe and dried fruit suggest sweetness and spice, accompanied by delicate floral notes reminiscent of white flowers. The entry is rich and substantial, with a full body and creamy texture. On the palate, juicy fruit sweetness is soon balanced by lively acidity and a touch of bitterness, while gentle umami gradually spreads across the palate. The finish is long and clean, with a pleasant sour tingle and subtle hints of spice, particularly lemongrass. Best enjoyed well chilled, when it retains its refreshing crispness.

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

A fruity nose with notes of green apple and peach, complemented by floral aromas and gentle sweetness. Hints of banana, melon, and peach emerge as the sake opens, yet the bouquet remains refined and never overpowering. The entry is crisp and refreshing, leading into a full body with a silky texture. A slight natural effervescence adds freshness to the palate. Initial fruity sweetness soon gives way to lively acidity, creating a superb balance between sweetness and freshness. Although rich in flavour, the sake never feels heavy.

Brewed exclusively from the premium nakadori (middle-run) portion of the pressing, it showcases the finest aromas and flavours of the batch. The flavours broaden across the palate before coming together harmoniously, making this a classic, expressive Yamori sake with vivid fruit character. A touch of bitterness in the aftertaste provides a refreshing accent. The finish is crisp, clean, and pleasantly lingering. It is best enjoyed well chilled, as some of its lively crispness softens at room temperature.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity sweetness (green apples, peach), ginjo
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity, ginjo
Finish: clean, short
Quality level: very good

A mild and gentle nose, with subtle sweet aromas of grain and rice alongside sharp alcoholic notes. The entry is soft and smooth, leading into a full body with a velvety texture. A slight fruity sweetness reminiscent of berries is followed by refreshing acidity with citrus notes and a touch of bitterness. The finish is crisp and medium-length. Its subtlety and restraint give the sake an air of quiet elegance.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium-
Aroma: fruity sweetness (banana, berries), grain, rice
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: fruity, grain, rice
Finish: clean, short
Quality level: very good

A fruity-sweet nose with notes of chocolate, yoghurt, and gentle lactic aromas. The entry is soft and elegant, with a full body and velvety texture. A touch of sweetness appears immediately, accompanied by pronounced umami and a refreshing aroma. The sweetness quickly gives way to a subtle bitterness, while the fresh character typical of unpasteurised sake remains throughout. The finish is short, clean, and slightly bitter. Overall, it is an elegant, lively, and refreshing sake with good balance, equally enjoyable alongside food or on its own.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity (melons, ripe banana), floral
Sweetness: Slightly dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Flavour intensity:
Flavour characteristics: fruity, floral
Finish: clean, short
Quality level: excellent

A sweet, refreshing aroma rises from the glass, with gentle spice, fresh fruity notes, and a faint hint of cedar. The first sip is soft and smooth, with a creamy texture and full body. It shows the mild lactic sweetness typical of unfiltered, unpasteurised sake, balanced by rich umami, delicate ginjō aromas, and a touch of pleasant bitterness. A slight effervescence adds freshness and liveliness to the palate.

The flavour is remarkably well balanced. Notes of sweetness, acidity, and umami unfold together, followed by deeper savoury richness and a gentle bitterness that gradually spreads across the palate. As the initial freshness settles, richer sweet and savoury flavours emerge, giving the sake additional depth and complexity.

The finish is clean and crisp, with lingering notes of sweetness, umami, and gentle bitterness. Overall, it is a well-balanced and easy-drinking sake that combines freshness with plenty of flavour, a style that Yamori consistently delivers.

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