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    • Abu no Tsuru
      • Abu no Tsuru “90 Black” Junmai Karakuchi Muroka Nama Genshu
      • Abu no Tsuru “Green” Junmai Daiginjo Muroka Nama Genshu
    • Asahara Shuzo
      • Asahara Wonderful Passionfruit
      • Asahara Wonderful Yuzu & Ume
      • Asahara Wonderful Kiwi
      • Asahara Wonderful Mikan Orange
    • Echigo Shuzo
      • Chiyotsuru Double Crane
    • Eikun Shuzo
      • Eikun “Daidai” Junmai Ginjo
      • Eikun “Murasaki” Junmai Ginjo
    • Hijiri Sake Brewery
      • Kanto no Hana “Prosperity” Junmai Daiginjo
    • Iwase Shuzo
      • Iwanoi “Spanish Galleon” Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu
      • Iwanoi “Pearl Diver” Junmai Ginjo Nakadori MNG
      • Iwanoi “Fishing Vessel” Yamahai Junmai Ginjo Nakagumi MNG
      • Iwanoi “7 Year” Kimoto Junmai Koshu
    • Iwanoi of Iwate
      • Iwanoi “Karuiwanoi” Tokubetsu Junmai
      • Iwanoi “Magokoro” Shiro Junmai
      • Iwanoi “Magokuro Kon” Junmai Daiginjo
      • Iwanoi “Black” Tokubetsu Junmai Koshu
    • Kikkawa Jozo
      • Afuri “Terra/Y” Yamahai Junmai
      • Afuri “Night Mist: #77” Junmai MNG Oborosake
      • Afuri “Foggy Day: #28” Junmai MNG Kasumisake
      • Afuri “NARI” Junmai Daiginjo
      • Afuri “Shin-Saku” Junmai Sugiyamaryu MNG
      • Afuri “Kame-Ji: Wild Yeast” Sugiyamaryu Kamenoo MNG
      • Afuri “OHANA” Kimoto Junmai MNG
      • Afuri “KURO-KOJI” Kimoto Junmai MNG
      • Afuri “KAMENOO” Sugiyama Junmai MNG
      • Afuri “MIZUMOTO” Junmai Ginjo MNG
      • Afuri “Ringo-san #28” Junmai Ginjo MNG
      • Afuri “Ringo-san #77” Junmai Ginjo MNG
    • Kubiki Shuzo
      • Koshiji no Kobai “Sanma” Tokubestu Junmai MNG
    • Makino Shuzo
      • Makino Gunma chan Honjozo
      • Macho “Omachi” Junmai
      • Macho “King Yamada” Junmai
      • Macho “Gorilla” Kimoto Junmai
    • Miyoshikiku
      • Miyoshikiku “Omachi Shiboritate” Junmai Ginjo MNG
      • Miyoshikiku Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling
    • Mine No Hakubai
      • Ryoko “DRY” Junmai Nama
      • Ryoko “JUICE” Junmai Ginjo Natsu
      • Ryoko “PEACHES!” Junmai Daiginjo Nama Origarami
    • Sasaiwai
      • Sasaiwai “Bamboo Celebration”
      • Sasaiwai “Sasa-Sunday” Junmai Kamenoo #28
      • Sasaiwai “4 Rice Nishikan” Junmai
      • Sasaiwai “Candy Crush” Kijoshu Junmai
    • Takachiyo Shuzo
      • Makihata “Dragon Legend” Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu
    • Takeda Shuzo
      • Takeda “Black Skull” Tokubetsu Honjozo MNG
      • Takeda “Red Skull” Junmai MNG
      • Takeda “Ivory Skull” Junmai Nigori Muroka Genshu
      • Takeda “Gold Skull” Daiginjo Muroka Genshu
      • Koshino Sesshu “Snow Boat” Honjozo Nigori
    • Yonezawa Shuzu (Imanishiki)
      • Imanishiki Nakagawamura-No-Tamako “Tadpole” Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu
  • Styles
    • Flavor Profile
      • Dry
      • Fruity
      • Savory / Umami Heavy
      • Sweeter
    • Rice
      • Aiyama
      • Dewasansan
      • Kamenoo
      • Omachi
      • Yamada Nishiki
      • Yamasake4
    • Sake Category
      • Junmai
      • Genshu
      • Nama
      • Ginjo
      • Yamahai
      • Daiginjo
      • Muroka
      • Kimoto
  • Advent Calendar
  • About Us
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  • Recs
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Breweries
    • Abu no Tsuru
      • Abu no Tsuru “90 Black” Junmai Karakuchi Muroka Nama Genshu
      • Abu no Tsuru “Green” Junmai Daiginjo Muroka Nama Genshu
    • Asahara Shuzo
      • Asahara Wonderful Passionfruit
      • Asahara Wonderful Yuzu & Ume
      • Asahara Wonderful Kiwi
      • Asahara Wonderful Mikan Orange
    • Echigo Shuzo
      • Chiyotsuru Double Crane
    • Eikun Shuzo
      • Eikun “Daidai” Junmai Ginjo
      • Eikun “Murasaki” Junmai Ginjo
    • Hijiri Sake Brewery
      • Kanto no Hana “Prosperity” Junmai Daiginjo
    • Iwase Shuzo
      • Iwanoi “Spanish Galleon” Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu
      • Iwanoi “Pearl Diver” Junmai Ginjo Nakadori MNG
      • Iwanoi “Fishing Vessel” Yamahai Junmai Ginjo Nakagumi MNG
      • Iwanoi “7 Year” Kimoto Junmai Koshu
    • Iwanoi of Iwate
      • Iwanoi “Karuiwanoi” Tokubetsu Junmai
      • Iwanoi “Magokoro” Shiro Junmai
      • Iwanoi “Magokuro Kon” Junmai Daiginjo
      • Iwanoi “Black” Tokubetsu Junmai Koshu
    • Kikkawa Jozo
      • Afuri “Terra/Y” Yamahai Junmai
      • Afuri “Night Mist: #77” Junmai MNG Oborosake
      • Afuri “Foggy Day: #28” Junmai MNG Kasumisake
      • Afuri “NARI” Junmai Daiginjo
      • Afuri “Shin-Saku” Junmai Sugiyamaryu MNG
      • Afuri “Kame-Ji: Wild Yeast” Sugiyamaryu Kamenoo MNG
      • Afuri “OHANA” Kimoto Junmai MNG
      • Afuri “KURO-KOJI” Kimoto Junmai MNG
      • Afuri “KAMENOO” Sugiyama Junmai MNG
      • Afuri “MIZUMOTO” Junmai Ginjo MNG
      • Afuri “Ringo-san #28” Junmai Ginjo MNG
      • Afuri “Ringo-san #77” Junmai Ginjo MNG
    • Kubiki Shuzo
      • Koshiji no Kobai “Sanma” Tokubestu Junmai MNG
    • Makino Shuzo
      • Makino Gunma chan Honjozo
      • Macho “Omachi” Junmai
      • Macho “King Yamada” Junmai
      • Macho “Gorilla” Kimoto Junmai
    • Miyoshikiku
      • Miyoshikiku “Omachi Shiboritate” Junmai Ginjo MNG
      • Miyoshikiku Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling
    • Mine No Hakubai
      • Ryoko “DRY” Junmai Nama
      • Ryoko “JUICE” Junmai Ginjo Natsu
      • Ryoko “PEACHES!” Junmai Daiginjo Nama Origarami
    • Sasaiwai
      • Sasaiwai “Bamboo Celebration”
      • Sasaiwai “Sasa-Sunday” Junmai Kamenoo #28
      • Sasaiwai “4 Rice Nishikan” Junmai
      • Sasaiwai “Candy Crush” Kijoshu Junmai
    • Takachiyo Shuzo
      • Makihata “Dragon Legend” Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu
    • Takeda Shuzo
      • Takeda “Black Skull” Tokubetsu Honjozo MNG
      • Takeda “Red Skull” Junmai MNG
      • Takeda “Ivory Skull” Junmai Nigori Muroka Genshu
      • Takeda “Gold Skull” Daiginjo Muroka Genshu
      • Koshino Sesshu “Snow Boat” Honjozo Nigori
    • Yonezawa Shuzu (Imanishiki)
      • Imanishiki Nakagawamura-No-Tamako “Tadpole” Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu
  • Styles
    • Flavor Profile
      • Dry
      • Fruity
      • Savory / Umami Heavy
      • Sweeter
    • Rice
      • Aiyama
      • Dewasansan
      • Kamenoo
      • Omachi
      • Yamada Nishiki
      • Yamasake4
    • Sake Category
      • Junmai
      • Genshu
      • Nama
      • Ginjo
      • Yamahai
      • Daiginjo
      • Muroka
      • Kimoto
  • Advent Calendar
  • About Us
  • Instagram Feed
  • Recs
  • Contact
Retail Locator
INSTAGRAM FEEDS
The finest Japanese unpasteurized sake,
hand selected, small batch brewed, from Japan to you.
Click Here
INSTAGRAM FEEDS
The finest Japanese unpasteurized sake,
hand selected, small batch brewed, from Japan to you.
Click Here
INSTAGRAM FEEDS
The finest Japanese unpasteurized sake,
hand selected, small batch brewed, from Japan to you.
Click Here

namazakepaul

The freshest, most interesting seasonal sake, specializing in Namazake and Hiyaoroshi

Threw a little party with @propersake_ricevice in Threw a little party with @propersake_ricevice in Nashville. #1 American brewery. Check them out! 

 #machosake
#Yamahai #山廃
#Kimoto #生酛
The starter for the @osakazuki_sake Makino Shuzo " The starter for the @osakazuki_sake Makino Shuzo "Macho Gorilla" Kimoto Junmai is done in a Kioke or wooden vat. Because there is no yeast added, it takes upwards of 90 days. 

#machosake
#koshiki #古式
#kioke #木桶
#Seishu #日本酒 
#Junmai #純米 #純米酒
#Kimoto #生酛
#Genshu #原酒
#Muroka #無濾過
You might say there are some STRONG new sake comin You might say there are some STRONG new sake coming to America.... 
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#Seishu #日本酒 
#Junmai #純米 #純米酒
#Kimoto #生酛
#kioke
#Genshu #原酒
#Muroka #無濾過
#Tokubetsu #特別
When people visit Tokyo, I always tell them to boo When people visit Tokyo, I always tell them to book a sake tasting with @sakeloversjapan but now I must add doing a Toyosu fish market tour with @kyontan129 too!
The @hyakusyun_kosaka brewery is located in an Uda The @hyakusyun_kosaka brewery is located in an Udatsu village in Gifu. Udatsu are the ornate tops of the firewalls between houses. Carpenters were sent from Kyoto to build the village during the Edo period. Famous for knives and washi paper, Mino is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the crowds of Kyoto. Look for their sake coming soon!
I arrived at @imanishikiyonezawa just as the label I arrived at @imanishikiyonezawa just as the labels did for the fresh nama release. They will be loaded on a refrigerated container and ready for you soon!
Bottling @bamboo_celebration for @toyaramenpdx ! Bottling @bamboo_celebration for @toyaramenpdx !
Everyone is loving the cat cups from @shidaizumish Everyone is loving the cat cups from @shidaizumishuzo 

WHY CAT CUPS?
Shidaizumi hasn't made cups for a long time because cups are typically low quality futsu-shu. However, they saw high quality Junmai Ginjo cups as a gateway for new sake drinkers. The first cup was the famous “One-cup Ozeki”. In Japanese, “One” is pronounced the same as the sound of a dog's woof (wan=one). So to differentiate themselves, Shidaizumi uses a cat, which makes the Nyan (Meow in Japanese) sound. Cats also guard the rice used to make sake from rats, a task that has been important to sake breweries for centuries. So this cup honors our noble friend the cat. 

BREWERY
Founded in 1882, “Shida(志太) Izumi(泉)” references the hope sake that gushes forth(志) like a thick(太) spring(泉). Post war, they were an early pioneer of Ginjo sake, winning three consecutive gold medals at the National New Sake Competition. Shidaizumi's greatest asset is its soft water. Shidaizumi's founder,Kyusaku Mochizuki, chose the brewery location because of the water. A combination of mountain springs which eventually feed the Seto River. Shidaizumi's brewing water is actually used at the hand-rubbed tea ceremony held at Rengeji Temple. Shizuoka is renowned for the best green tea in the world. 

#catcup
#onecup
#Seishu #日本酒 
#Junmai #純米 #純米酒
#Ginjo #吟醸 
#yaizu
#shizuoka
Pure, elegant and expressive, the Abu no Tsuru "Gr Pure, elegant and expressive, the Abu no Tsuru "Green" Junmai Daiginjo is made with care and craft, but Miyoshi san makes minimal interventions – the Green is Muroka (unfined) to preserve its umami, a Genshu (no added water) so its power is undiluted, and is Nama (unpasteurized) to show off its energetic, fresh profile to the fullest. The rarest choice though is to use a house isolated yeast derived from ambient yeast in the brewery. The soft water typical of the north of Yamaguchi gives an elegant, almost velvet texture. 

SERVING
Serve well-chilled in a wine glass to best enjoy its elegant aromatic profile. Excellent with white fish and herbal dishes.

BREWERY
Established in 1897, Abu-no-Tsuru Shuzo lies on the northern coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Inactive for 30 years after closing its doors in 1983, it was was resurrected by current president-toji Ryutaro Miyoshi. Born the same year the brewery closed, Miyoshi’s childhood years were spent estranged from the sake business. Fate drew him back - following an opportunity to work a single brewing season in Chiba, one thing led to another, and he revived Abu-no-Tsuru Shuzo in 2017. Having risen from the ashes, the brewery is building a modern style with fresh tastes and slick labels inspired by Miyoshi’s training as an interior designer.

http://abunotsuru.jp/
For those of you enjoying the @hijiri_sake Kanto n For those of you enjoying the @hijiri_sake Kanto no Hana "Prosperity" Junmai Daiginjo, this is what 35% polish #Hitomebore table rice looks like. 

Please let me know if you liked it.
@miyoshikiku is a fascinating brewery. Their sake @miyoshikiku is a fascinating brewery. Their sake are very unique tasting because of differences such as
1) Blending yeasts which are a mix of ambient cultured and Tokushima Toji guild 
2) Warm fermentation with extra Koji 
3) Tōgai rice: ungraded, locally grown rice. But using Yamada Nishiki and Omachi 

No other sake tastes like theirs!
Echigo "Kui Kui" Junmai Karakuchi The super cute Echigo "Kui Kui" Junmai Karakuchi

The super cute "Kui Kui" mascot was created to promote the local tourist destination Fukushimagata Lagoon. Using locally grown rice, this is a Karakuchi meaning dry tasting sake. By the way, when there are two rices listed, the first is for the koji and the second is for the batch.

While many breweries use warm temperatures and machinery to crank out sake fast, Echigo Shuzo champions a low-temperature environment and handmade process that harmonizes rice, water, people, and climate.

Located in the northern part of the Echigo Plain in Niigata Prefecture, where you can see the Gozu and Iide mountain ranges. Echigo's water is blessed with the skills honed by Nozumi's famous brewers and the harsh but romantic snowy winters.

16% abv 
70%	polished Gohyakumangoku and Koshiibuki
+5	SMV 
1.4%	 acidity
S-9	yeast
In sake brewing, there are four times when ingredi In sake brewing, there are four times when ingredients are added: "shubo, soe, naka, tome". By adding Junmai sake instead of the water at tome, the last stage, the fermentation gets stuck. A large amount of extract is not digested during fermentation remains in the sake, resulting in an "ultra sweet" sake. This traditional method is called Kojishu but because the brewery didn't apply to be part of the Kijoshu society, they can't put that on the label. To balance the sweetness, the same malic acid producing yeast as the Sasa-Sunday is used. The label describes the taste, a fun mashup of traditional methods but producing a candy-like sweetness and rich flavor.

 CANNOT believe we got this label approved!

 Similar to the Nishikan, this was a challenge brew (test batch) for @bamboo_celebration but it was so popular, they have made it a regular item.
It's time to order the world's only Sake Advent Ca It's time to order the world's only Sake Advent Calendar!
You get:
21 direct import 180ml cups of sake from Niigata, Aomori, Gunma, Shizuoka, Tokushima and more
Two special gifts sourced directly from craft producers in Tochigi and Niigata
One 720ml Junmai Daiginjo from Gunma for Christmas Eve
One tasting booklet with descriptions, history, pairing suggestions and a place to take notes
Also three online events, including brewery tours and tasting classes, to enhance your sake drinking experience

That's over four liters of sake, all hand-chosen by Namazake Paul. Many of these cups have never been imported to the USA before! 

#sakeadventcalendar 
#giftideas 
#xmasgifts 
#adventcalendar
This year's #sakeadventcalendar features 100% dire This year's #sakeadventcalendar features 100% direct imports. That means a crazy good value as we traveled deep into Japan to find cult breweries making sake so juicy you wouldn't even think it's sake. Miyoshikiku uses a house isolated yeast which tastes like peach nectar. They have their own printing and bottling line so it is really easy to work with them. They could put anything in a cup: Koshu, Yamahai, Origarami, Tōgai, and more.  Don't know what those mean? Then you need the calendar! 
#giftideas 
#japaneseart
#animeart 
#sake
#sakelover
Over the last two days @thissake has been teaching Over the last two days @thissake has been teaching me some things such as that you all want to know the behind the scenes of the Advent Calendar. 

When I register a new cup to the US, I must get a signed formula from the brewery and submit it with a sample to the TTB, then they must approve the label. Every word not in English must be translated. Luckily they accept a screen shot of Google translate. This is an example. 

#adventcalendar 
#sakeadventcalendar 
#ilovegunma 
#gunmachan
One of the most intricate elements of the World's One of the most intricate elements of the World's Only Sake Advent Calendar is the tasting booklet. This is a collaboration with @33booksco . I write a bit about each brewery, the sake, how to serve it, pair it, etc. Then on the opposing page, you can record your tasting notes. 

I choose the order of the sake to help you better understand the styles of sake out there and your preferences. So for example, you will try two Junmai Ginjo from the same brewery on back to back days made with the same yeast, the only difference being the rice used. On another day, you can try the same style from two different breweries. You'll get to try Yamahai, Kimoto, Koshu, Kijoshu and more. Don't know all those K words? That's why you need the calendar! 

#sakeadventcalendar 
#sakeadventure 
#sakestudy
#kimoto
#yamahai
#daiginjo
#namazakepaul
2024 Namazake Paul Sake Advent Calendar has droppe 2024 Namazake Paul Sake Advent Calendar has dropped! 

Ask for it at fine retailers everywhere.
Eikun "Murasaki" Junmai Ginjo with Aburi Gako (smo Eikun "Murasaki" Junmai Ginjo with Aburi Gako (smoked fermented diakon tossed in cream cheese), soy candied walnuts with chirimenjako, dashi injected tomato with egg yolk sauce. My kind of Sake to Sakana.
This fun flight features a negative Sake Meter Val This fun flight features a negative Sake Meter Value (Nigonshu-do) which is the weight of sake relative to water. They are heavier. To balance, they all have a bit more acidity than your average sake. 

Takeda Junmai 70% -4 SMV 1.8% acidity 
Afuri Kamenoo Junmai 90% -4 SMV 1.5% acidity
Afuri Ringo san Junmai Ginjo 60% -7 SMV 2.5% acidity
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NAMAZAKE PAUL IMPORTS

Namazake Paul Imports is a boutique specialty importer of craft sake from Japan to the United States. Brands include Afuri from Kikkawa Jozo, Ryoko from Mine no Hakubai, Takeda Shuzo from Niigata, among others. Please check out our Retailers page to find where you can buy our specialty sake.

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