In 2011, northeastern Japan experienced a major earthquake and its people showed their resilience to the world. New Yorkers responded by buying and drinking sake to support the brewers of the Tohoku region which was most severely affected.   And while our customers showed their sympathy for the victims of the triple disaster, their sake preferences were more expansive and encompassed a variety of styles and types.
Counting down our top ten sellers for the year just ended…
10. Kokuryu Gohyaku Mangoku Junmai Ginjo
Sometimes the things we like best are the most difficult to describe and this sake exemplifies the concept. It has a deep, dynamic, rich flavors that seem to captivate anyone who tries it.
9. Masumi Arabashiri Junmai
Masumi’s Arabashiri has almost become synonymous with the term arabashiri itself, which is the first run sake from the moromi tank after pressing. The 2011 Masumi arabashiri had more banana aromas and flavors than the previous year.
8. Kurosawa Junmai Kimoto
The name of sake is the same as Japanese film maker Kurosawa. Because of that, for many the name is easy to remember, and the sake is easy to enjoy too.
7. Otokoyama “Man’s Mountain” Tokubetsu Junmai
Manly name and dry taste, it is an all purpose dry sake.
6. Harushika Shiboribana Nama Junmai
It’s name translates as “Spring Deer,” and this early spring namazake is fruity and happy as one of the many deer in Nara’s famous park.
5. Akishika Bambi Cup Sake
Who can resist buying a cute bambi “one cup”?
4. Urakasumi Junmai
Urakasumi brewery is located in Shiogama where the tsunami hit. Fortunately,the brewer suffered limited damage and got back to making sake soon after. People bought this tasty Miyagi prefecture sake to support the local brewing industry.
3. Dassai 50 “Otter Fest” Junmai Daiginjo
A reliably elegant Junmai Daiginjo sake, you can count on this sake for smooth daiginjo flavor.
2. Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu
Move over Dassai! With bold tropical fruit and a hint of cocoa flavor, this sake goes so well with almost any dish including beef, duck, veggies, and fish. If you don’t know what you are having for dinner, this is the sake for you!
1. Kikusui Funaguchi Honjozo
Cool package? Funaguchi. Playing Angry Bird? Funaguchi. Picnic? Funaguchi. Movies? Funaguchi. Don’t want to drink too much? Funaguchi. The mid-night drink for Santa Claus? Funaguchi. It’s the all-purpose, portable, potable, packs-a-punch brew!
