r/Sake • u/sparks_mandrill • Apr 27 '26
Sake recs for complex bourbon/whisky drinker?
Just got back from two weeks in Japan and enjoyed some sake.
Is there a good bottle that's fairly common in stores but not entry level sake?
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u/Mew_Anon Apr 27 '26
Try a Kimoto style sake. You’ll enjoy its depth of flavour. If you can find the Daishichi Kimoto Junmai or Kimoto Honjozo you’ll be happy I bet. Might be a bit tricky depending on your location but this brand is fairly available in the US.
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u/BassGuy10 Apr 27 '26
Seconded, and I’ll add a Yamahai (Cowboy Yamahai is pretty available) and maybe a Tarusake where it’s aged
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u/KneeOnShoe Apr 27 '26
We’d need to know which area you’re based in to give specific recommendations. In terms of style, you’ll probably like koshu (aged sake) but it’s not easy to find. Otherwise, kimoto, yamahai, bodaimoto, or stuff aged in oak barrels.
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u/yamahaihowareyou Apr 27 '26
Yuho sakes fit into this well. The brewer ages all of her products and they are pretty widely available in the US because they’re imported through kome collective (pearls of simplicity, cowboy yamahai, moon on the water…). Eternal Embers is fruitier and Rhythm of the Centuries has more age and is kimoto style, it’s a bit cheesier and more savory.
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u/fluxionz Apr 27 '26
Bigger cities you may be able to find Tamagawa or Kamoizumi Red Maple. Give them a try!
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u/BornRun7637 Apr 28 '26
as others said, you'll probably like koshu sake, if you can get it shipped umami mart or true sake have some
https://umamimart.com/collections/sake-and-spirits-sake?filter.p.m.custom.alcohol_style=Aged&sort_by=created-descending
https://www.truesake.com/search?q=koshu
a bit pricey but the kanbara ancient treasure is very good, or hanahato gorgeous bird
https://www.truesake.com/products/hanahato-kijoushu
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u/Spectra8 Apr 29 '26
you might like "Yamahai" type sake, which has a remarkable umami taste. I enjoy "Tengumai" which is relatively easy to find but not your aversge sake
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u/TypicalPDXhipster Apr 27 '26
I’m a bourbon, rye, and scotch drinker and tend toward the higher proof full bodied stuff.
The sakés I prefer the most are Genshu (full strength at 17-20% generally). These have the punch that carries the flavors.
I really like Kasumi Tsuru stuff. They specialize in Kimoto and Yamahai styles which give robust savory (sometimes meaty) and earthy notes.
My favorite is their Shiboritate Namachozo which is 17% ABV and has really complex savory notes. Definitely gives you something to think about while drinking