Sakaya NYC Blog

“What is your best selling sake?” we’re often asked.   Now that we’ve completed our first full year, we thought it was a good time to answer the question for all with that particular curiosity.  And so, presented in Letterman fashion, the most popular sake among SAKAYA customers in 2008 are…

10.  Kagatobi Junmai Ginjo (Ishikawa)

Slightly rich fragrance with aroma of steamed rice and flavor, it is one of sake which goes well with a variety of foods.

9.  Denemon Junmai Ginjo (Niigata)

Delicate and clean sake with hint of honeydew and apricot, it goes well with sushi and sashimi as well as turkey or chicken breast.

8.  Dassai Nigori (Yamaguchi)

This nigori is slightly sweet with clean finish, it goes well with spicy food and will stand up to Indian and Thai food.

7.  Kikusui Junmai Ginjo (Niigata)

This sake in the beautiful bottle is popular for gifts as well for people who enjoy its clean, delicate flavor profile.

6.  Miyasaka Yawaraka Junmai (Nagano)

A sake that is slightly on the sweet side,  it has a hint of coconut flavor with a clean finish.  It can be sipped as an aperitif or drunk with soy sauce flavored dishes.

5.  Hana Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Sake (Okayama)

This festive sparkling sake is infused with rosehip and hibiscus, and has a light pink color with slightly drier finish.

4.  Yuki no Bosha Nigori (Akita)

A delicate nigori with hint of strawberry and peaches, this sake is pleasantly fruity yet delivers a clean, dry finish.

3.  Kokuryu Gohyaku Mangoku Junmai Ginjo (Fukui)

With the sleek, elegant look of  its recently redesigned bottle, this delicious sake became  even more popular as a gift item.  It is deep and full flavored with a slightly creamy texture and pairs easily with cheese as well as grilled, roasted, and broiled foods.

2.  Dassai 50 Junmai Ginjo (Yamaguchi)

Altogether pleasing and easy to joy, Dassai 50 is delicate,  slightly sweet,  and elegant.

And, the #1 sake sold at SAKAYA in 2008 is…….

1.  Kikusui Funaguchi Honjozo Nama Genshu

Unpasteurized and undiluted, this tasty sake in the novel package flies off the shelf quickly.  Rich and bold with hint of coco and chocolate, its convenient size and bold flavors (and low price) made it SAKAYA ‘s crowd-pleaser of the year!

It was one year ago today that we exited the subway and walked up 2nd Avenue toward E. 9th Street with nervous stomachs anticipating a day that we’d worked towards for what seemed like an interminable three years.  Wondering what the ensuing eight hours or so held in store for us, we opened our gate, unlocked the front door and crossed our fingers…

Since that eventful day (including the temporary loss of our credit card processing unit), we have seen a year pass in what seems like the blink of an eye.  What accounts for the rate at which time passes has been the subject of intense discussion for many but for us it has been a experiential journey, a learning curve that figuratively rivaled scaling K2, and most importantly meeting and making new friends.  Our dream of sharing and spreading our passion for sake which lead to the birth of SAKAYA was fulfilled in more ways than we could have imagined.   It would not have happened were it not for a selfless group of folks who generously gave us their valuable time and shared the benefits of their hard work and experience:  Steve Bamundo, Charles Hamowy, Candia Herman-Flaum, Tom Sedlock, Beau Timken, Mani Dawes, Michelle Pravda and Patrick Watson, Henry Sidel, John Gauntner, Tim Sullivan, Jessica, Laura, and Dan Lim, Lisa Rosenthal, Hiromi Tsuruta and Swee Phuah.    We cannot thank you enough!

To those who have visited us in the first year of our existence we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your support.    We look forward to welcoming you back and also to meeting those of you who have yet to seek us out.    Please join us in celebrating our first anniversary at the series of special tastings that can be found on the events page on our website.

With warmest wishes for the happiest holiday season,

Kanpai!

Rick & Hiroko

Hard as it may be to believe, a year has passed and SAKAYA has become a destination for an ever-expanding community of folks like you who have come to enjoy the pleasures of drinking sake.  To thank you for your support and to celebrate our first anniversary, we invite you join us for the festivities!

Friday, December 5, 6-8PM, World Sake Imports:

Masumi Yumedono Daiginjo (Nagano), Akitabare Suiratkuten “Heaven of Tipsy Delight” Daiginjo (Akita), Tedorigawa Ikina Onna Junmai Daiginjo (Ishikawa)

Saturday, December 6, 3-6PM, Chizuko Niikawa, Sake Sommelier:

Daishichi Minawamon Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo (Fukushima), Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo (Yamaguchi), Wataribune Junmai Daiginjo (Ibaraki)

Thursday, December 11, 6-8PM, Kagatobi Selections:

Kagatobi Cho Karakuchi Junmai, Kagatobi Junmai Ginjo, Kagatobi Junmai Daiginjo

Friday, December 12, 6-8PM. SAKAYA Selections:

Kubota Manju Junmai Ginjo (Niigata), Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo (Toyama), Tama no Hikari “Brilliant Jade” Junmai Daiginjo (Kyoto)

Saturday, December 13, 3-6PM, ASPEC Selections:

Manabito Junmai Daiginjo, Chokaisan Junmai Daiginjo, Dewatsuru “Habataki” Junmai Ginjo

Friday, December 19, 6-8PM, Niigata Sake Selections:

Kirinzan Junmai Daiginjo, Minogawa Koshi no Omachi Daiginjo, Kakurei Plum

Saturday, December 20, 3-6PM, Japan Prestige Sake Selections:

Tsukino Katsura “Heiankyo” Junmai Daiginjo (Kyoto)

Saturday, December 27,  3-6PM, Sparkling Sake Tastings:

Chikurin Hou Hou Shu & Chikurin Hana Hou Hou Shu (Okayama)

Ever since we first tasted Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu, we have been trying to get this sake for our customers to try.  Finally, after a year of pleading with the importer, we have succeeded! It is now available EXCLUSIVELY at SAKAYA as an early First Anniversary present from our good friends at Japan Prestige Sake.  Come visit us to taste this bold, lively, flavorful brew in the distinctive protective package.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

November is a time to give thanks for the many things that we’ve been fortunate enough to have in our lives.  Along with family, friends, and health, we always include some of the pleasures that come from inspired creations like…SAKE!  And while that probably comes as no surprise, this month we also wanted to introduce our SAKAYA friends to another of Japan’s enjoyable indigenous beverages.  And so, after nearly a year since we opened, we’ve scheduled our first tasting of Shochu, a distilled spirit popular in Kyushu region.  As always, we have a full schedule of sake tastings too.  If you haven’t tried shochu before, now’s your chance.

And in case you thought we forgot an important item on our list of things to be thankful for, we saved the best for last….YOU!

We look forward to seeing you soon and thank you so very much for your enthusiastic support!

Kanpai!

Rick & Hiroko

Saturday, November 1:  3 to 6PM

Hiyaoroshi Tasting
Wakatake Onikoroshi (Shizuoka), Urakasumi (Miyagi), & Tsuki no Katsura (Kyoto)

Friday, November 7:  6 to 8PM & Saturday, November 8:  4 to 6PM

Shochu Tasting from Fukiage Distiller in Kagoshima
Fukiage Mugi Shochu & Kaikouzu Imo Shochu

Saturday, November 15:  3 to 6PM

Sake Samurai Tim Sullivan (urbansake.com)
Kubota Senju (Niigata), Hakkaisan Ginjo (Niigata), Kikusui Junmai Ginjo (Niigata)

Friday, November 21:  6 to 8PM

Nishimoto Trading Sake Tasting
Okunomatsu Ginjo (Fukushima) & Kudoki Jozu Junmai Ginjo (Yamagata)

Saturday, November 22:  3 to 6PM

Akita Sake Promotion & Export Council Sake Tasting
Chokaisan Junmai Daiginjo (Akita)

Just as beer lovers in Germany look forward to Oktoberfest, sake drinkers excitedly anticipate the release of the Autumn seasonal sake, Hiyaoroshi.  Brewed using the newly harvested rice from the previous Fall, Hiyaoroshi is pasteurized once just before being cellared in the Spring.  It is then stored, according to its traditional method, to allow it to mature throughout the Summer and develop its characteristic mellow flavors and unique crispness in time for its October release. Unlike regular sake, with Hiyaoroshi there is no second pasturization before bottling.  As a result, the sake is more aromatic and imbued with the bolder flavor profile that characterizes unpasturized (nama) sake, yet it also has smooth and rounded finish.

At SAKAYA we’ve just received three of the best Hiyaoroshi available in the U.S.  So, stop by and pick up a bottle (or two or three) to celebrate Japanese Oktoberfest. We’ll also be offering a chance for you to try them as part of our October tasting schedule.

We look forward to seeing you soon at SAKAYA!

Kanpai!

OCTOBER SCHEDULE

Saturday, October 18, 3 to 6pm

Vine Connections Imports Sake Tasting

Chiyonosono “Sacred Power” Junmai Ginjo (Kumamoto) & Mantensei “Star-Filled Sky” Junmai Ginjo (Tottori)

Saturday, October 25, 3 to 6pm

Japan Prestige Sake Association Hiyaoroshi Tasting

Wakatake Onikoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai Hiyaoroshi (Shizuoka), Tsuki no Katsura Junmai Hiyaoroshi (Kyoto), & Urakasumi Junmai Hiyaoroshi (Miyagi)

To kick off the fall season, we have visits from three brewers scheduled (so far) for September tastings at SAKAYA.  First from Niigata’s Musashino Shuzo, a brewery founded in 1916, we have the 4th generation brewer Hisashi Kobayashi to introduce us to his Nyukon “Into Your Soul” Tokubetsu Honjozo and Buna-no Tsuyu “Dew Drops”Tokubetsu Jumai sake.  These are new brews for us and we are excited to debut them at the store.  From Tottori, Haruta Okazora of Chiyumusubi Shuzo will pour his creamy, smooth, apple and peach-scented Chiyomusubi Tokubetsu Junmai.  And we are pleased to have Junichi Yageta back from Ishikawa’s Fukumitsuya to share their Kagatobi Junmai Ginjo plus a special SAKAYA sake exclusive!

Saturday, September 6:  3 to 6PM

Musashino Shuzo (Niigata)

Tasting of Buna-no Tsuyu “Dewdrops” Tokubetsu Junmai and Nyukon “Into Your Soul” Tokubetsu Honjozo

Friday, September 19:  6 to 8PM

Chiyomusubi Shuzo (Tottori)

Chiyomusubi Tokubetsu Junmai

Friday, September 26:  6 to 8PM

Fukumitsuya (Ishikawa)

Kagatobi Junmai Ginjo plus….

We look forward to seeing you at SAKAYA!

Kanpai!

Here is the July Tasting Schedule.  Please check the Events page of the SAKAYANYC.com website for updates as we are continually scheduling new tastings….

Wednesday, July 2: 6pm to 8pm

Takasako Brewery (Hokkaido)
Tasting of Ginga Shizuku “Divine Droplets” Junmai Daiginjo and Taisetsu “Big Snow” Junmai Ginjo.

Friday, July 11: 6pm to 8pm

Selections from Importer, World Sake

Thursday, July 17: 6pm to 8pm

Selections from Importer, Joto Sake

Saturday, July 26: 3pm to 6pm

Summer Namazake (unpasteurized) selections from Importer, Japan Prestige Sake

We look forward to seeing you at SAKAYA!

Kanpai!

We’ve finally completed the last phase of our website construction with the launch of SAKAYANYC.com‘s online ordering capability today!

Now you can peruse the SAKAYA inventory by sake category, use the map of Japan to seek sake from a particular region (and prefectures within), and devour the details on everything that we currently stock. And remember, if there is a sake that you don’t see, please let us know and we’ll do our best to track it down to special order for you.

Thanks for your patience. Hopefully, we’ve made it just a bit easier for you to enjoy the pleasures of premium sake.

Kanpai!

Holy koji-kin! Hard to believe but it’s already been 6 months since we opened our doors in December. In the brief life of SAKAYA, we’ve been honored and excited to have had a steady stream of kuramoto (sake brewers) from some of Japan’s most distinguished breweries visiting the shop to pour their sake for our eager-to-learn customers.

To celebrate SAKAYA’s six month anniversary we wanted to thank them for their friendship and support by sharing this photo gallery commemorating their first visits to our shop.

It’s difficult to find the words that adequately express our gratitude to our friends, customers and new friends from the sake world for the enthusiastic reception and support that SAKAYA has received. We thank you all VERY much and look forward to sharing more sake experiences together with you!

Kanpai!

from left… Mr. Yasutaka Daimon from Daimon Shuzo (12/11/07), Mr. Tsushima Kitahara from Yamanashi Meijo, a.k.a Shichiken brand (1/4/08), Mr. Kosuke Kuji from Nanbu Bijin (1/12/08).

from left… Mr. Takeshi Endo & Mr. Daisuke Takasawa from Kikusui (1/22/08), Ms. Kumiko Kurosawa from Hakkaisan (1/30/08), Kazuhiro Sakurai from Asahi Shuzo, a.k.a. Dassai brand (2/1/08).

from left… Ms. Sachiko Toshioka & Mr. Junichi Yageta from Fukumitsuya a.k.a. Kagatobi brand (2/22/08), Mr. Shunsuke Kohiyama from Takasago Shuzo (3/4/08), Mr. Munenori Ozaki from Tentaka Shuzo (4/5/08)

from left… Sake Handbook author Mr. John Gaunter (4/5/08), Mr. Yoshiyasu Sudo from Sudo Honke (4/5/08), Ms. Miho Imada from Imada Shuzo (4/5/08).

from left… Mr. Niichiro Marumoto from Marumoto Shuzo a.k.a. Chikurin brand (4/7/08), Mr. Hiroyuki Yamazaki from Otokoyama (4/12/08), Mr. Kenzo Mabuchi from Tamano Hikari (4/24/08).

from left… Mr. Manabu Shobayashi from Kamotsuru Shuzo (5/15/08), Mr. Kotaro Saito from Saiya Shuzo a.k.a. Yuki no Bosha brand (5/16/08), Mr. Junichiro Yageta from Fukumitsuya a.k.a. Kagatobi brand (6/4/08).