This autumn, our in-house sake sommelier embarked on a journey to Japan to delve into the intricacies of sake craftsmanship. Across 30 distinct sake breweries, he immersed himself in an extraordinary learning experience, gaining insights from master brewers who expertly navigate both traditional and modern approaches. Following this enriching venture, Rafa successfully undertook his sake exam, officially earning the title of International Sake Sommelier. We take immense pride in Rafa’s remarkable achievement. When you visit Casita & Garden next time, treat yourself to a sake tasting experience and embark on a delightful journey of flavors.

SAKE

Junmai: “Pure Rice Sake” made without added alcohol, polished to 70% or less. Rich, full-bodied, and true to the flavor of rice. 

Honjozo:  Polished to 70% or less with a touch of brewer’s alcohol, enhancing aroma and flavor. This addition enhances aroma and flavor, not alcohol content. Light, smooth, and easy to drink.

Ginjo: Made with rice polished to 60% or less, offering bright floral and fruity aromas with a softer profile than Junmai—an excellent choice for those new to sake.

 Daiginjo: Daiginjo, or “big Ginjo,” uses rice polished to at least 50%, creating an elegant sake with refined aromatics and a smooth, silky texture—perfect for sipping or pairing with delicate dishes.

Nigori: or “cloudy” sake, is gently coarsely filtered, leaving delicate rice solids that give it a rich, silky texture and a softly sweet flavor.

JUNMAI + HONJOZO 

Amabuki I love Sushi Tokubetsu Junmai

300ml $595

Amabuki's I LOVE SUSHI Junmai acts as a palate cleanser with its dryness but well-balanced soft acidity and moderate umami make it an easy go-to for food pairings. Polishing 60%

Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Honjozo

720ml $1050

Hakkaisan’s signature brew kicks off with a wonderful, woody nose with spiced fruit undertones. Each sip envelopes the palate in slightly sweet mango and honey flavors that balance well with the light dryness. A smooth, straightforward, satisfying sake with hints of wood at any temperature. SMV +4.0  Polishing 60%

 Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai, Niigata

720ml $950

Tokubetsu means “special” in Japanese. This Tokubetsu Junmai has a bit of extra polish on the rice compared to a regular Junmai. Using as well Koshiibuki and Gohyakumangoku rice, the slightly richer body comes with a mild and creamy texture. The blue bottle helps keeping this sake fresher as this tokubetsu junmai is pasteurized only once, keeping more prominent aromatics and umami feeling. Notes of flowers, cream, and vanilla. SMV -1.0  Polishing 60%

Hojun Zuiyo Junmai

720ml $850

This rich Junmai with layered, nutty depth in flavor has won many hot sake competitions in Japan, but can be enjoyed over ice as well. Bold structure with a solid dry finish with strong umami. SMV +5.0  Polishing 65%  Alcohol 15%

 

Kikumasamune Junmai Taru, Hyogo

菊正宗酒造 純米樽酒 神戸市兵庫県

720ml $625

Kikumasamune, founded in 1659, uses Miyamizu water and the Kimoto method. “Taru” sake, traditionally reserved for special occasions, is aged in barrels made from 100-year-old Yoshinosugi cedar, a sustainably managed forest planted over 500 years ago. The flavor is smoky with upfront umami and lingering spiciness, featuring notes of cedar, black pepper, and baking spice. SMV +5.0 Polishing 70%

 

Kikumasamune Shiboritate Kojo Junmai, Hyogo

菊正宗酒造 純米酒 神戸市兵庫県

300ml $350, 720ml $790

Nama Chozo (only one pasteurization). Fragrant aroma of fruits and flowers - enticing ripe banana and cantaloupe with bright sweet honey-crisp apples. Fruity, textured, round and smooth this light yet umami rich Junmai grade finishes with a lingering umami. SMV -2.0  Polishing 70%  Alcohol 15%

 

Michinoku Onikoroshi Honjozo, Miyagi

内ケ崎酒造 みちのく鬼殺し本醸造 富谷町宮城県

720ml $950

Named Onikoroshi or Demon Slayer, which is a common name for Dry sake, this sake has a dryness that is accompanied by a wonderful, stony, and mineral flavor that gets crisper when served cold. Warmed up it will give a kick of sweetness and mellowness. Notes of stone, shiitake mushroom, grain, and star anise. SMV +10.0  Polishing 60%

  

Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai, Iwate

南部美人酒造 特別純米生貯蔵 二戸市岩手県

300ml $590, 720ml $1390

This sake won “Champion Sake of 2017” at IWC International Wine Challenge.

Rich, but refreshing, medium intensity of aromas. Quality rice notes with some floral characters and marshmallow. Velvety texture, subtle. SMV +4.0  Polishing 55%

 

GINJO + JUNMAI GINJO

Amabuki Ichigo Junmai Ginjo Nama Strawberry

720ml $1190

A fresh creation from Amabuki brewery. Strawberry flower yeast is used to give this sake a refreshing sweetness and fruitiness that is reminiscent of plump, ripe strawberries. Pleasing flowery aromas accompanied by a fresh sourness that gradually reaches your palate. SMV +1.0  Polishing 55%  Alcohol 16%

  

Amabuki Junmai Ginjo Himawari Sunflower

720ml $1190

This Nama or unpasteurized sake has an interesting nose filled with base aromas such as brown grass, corn, honey, and of course sunflower! The result is a very intriguing sake that has layers and layers of flavors not typically found in the sake world. Look for starchy corn tones with hints of sweet potato, and “of course” sunflower seed elements. SMV +7.0  Polishing 55%  Alcohol 16.5%

  

Kikusui Junmai Ginjo, Niigata

菊水酒造 純米吟醸 新発田市新潟県

720ml $950

Clean and crisp taste, this sake has a light, playful essence with the perfect dash of dry. Being surprisingly smooth with a comforting freshness--which comes from the highly polished rice used its brewing. Its medium-body taste delivers a touch of Mandarin orange. SMV-2.0  Polishing 55%

 

Kizakura Hana Junmai Ginjo Tokusen (Cherry Blossom), Kyoto

黄桜酒造 【花】純米吟醸特撰 伏見区京都市

720ml $650

Using yeast obtained from a rare variety of “Satozakura” cherry tree that produces yellow double-petaled blossoms. One sniff of Hana Kizakura will make you feel like you’re walking through a cherry tree orchard. Restrained notes of flowers and apples. SMV -8.0  Polishing 60%  12% Alcohol

  

Taisetsu Junmai Ginjo

720ml $1250

Taisetsu “Junmai Ginjo” is born from the bountiful blessings of Mother Nature. The underground streams that filter down from the mountains provide fertile soil for growing the sake rice used to brew this mildly dry sake. Its gentle aroma is the perfume of the world and its mellow, yet clean flavor is earth’s gift to us all. This gold medal winner will make a fine addition to any sake collection. SMV +3.0  Polishing 45%  15% Alcohol

   

DAIGINJO + JUNMAI DAIGINJO

Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo

300ml $695, 720ml $1550

Hakkaisan’s Junmai Daiginjo is an iconic example of the Niigata region’s brewing style using handmade koji and pure spring water from melted snow. It is as clean and refreshing as a cold, clear day in winter. Tasting notes are crisp and clean, leaving your palate engaged and refreshed. SMV +4.0  Polishing 45%  Alcohol 15.5%

 

Kamotsuru Tokusei Gold Daiginjo, Hiroshima

加茂鶴酒造 特製ゴールド大吟醸 西条本町広島県

720ml $1395

Kamotsuru's Signature Blend is the original gold flaked Daiginjo sake. The two edible, gold flake Sakura blossoms in each bottle are meant to represent two cranes who’ve mated for life. From its strawberry, banana nose, to its fresh, tropical flavor, Tokusei Gold brightens the heart. Like taking in a deep breath from the top of Mt. Misen, this brew will help you find your center. Crisp, light, and classic. SMV +1.5  Polishing 50%

 

Katoukichibee Born “Gold” Junmai Muroka Daiginjo, Fukui

加藤吉平酒造 【梵】純米無濾過大吟醸 福井県鯖江市

720ml $1650

Muroka (not charcoal filtered). This sake doesn’t go through any refining treatments, keeping all the fine flavors and aroma intact. Extreme smoothness in texture is achieved by maturing at a temperature of 14 F for one year before blending. smooth, full-bodied junmai daiginjo. Notes of sweet Fiji apples, peaches. Pairs great with soft creamy cheeses and rich seafood like oysters, fatty tuna, and baked tomatoes. The yellow color on this sake is natural in all Muroka style sake. SMV +2.0  Polishing 50%

  

Katoukichibee Born Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Daiginjo, Fukui

720ml $1750

Born Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Daiginjo is a premium, unpasteurized, and undiluted sake bottled straight after fermentation. This results in a full-bodied, intense flavor with higher alcohol content. It has a fruity, floral aroma with notes of pear, melon, and honeysuckle. Made with high-quality Yamada Nishiki rice, it’s a favorite among sake enthusiasts. SMV +1.0  Polishing 50%   Alcohol 15%

 

Nanbu Bijin Shinpaku Junmai Daiginjo, Iwate

南部美人酒造 純米大吟醸 二戸市岩手県 

720ml $1650

Shinpaku, the starchy core of sake rice, is key to crafting elegant sake. This brew offers a sweet rice aroma with notes of strawberry, floral, peach, pear, and apricot. Lush and fruity, it’s smooth, juicy, and finishes surprisingly dry. SMV +4.0  Polishing 50%

 

Suigei Junmai Daiginjo “Drunken Whale”

720ml $1290

This Tokubetsu Junmai, brewed for Pacific Coast whales, has aromas of rose, wood, and grape. Dry and bold, it features fennel, hops, and a hint of unripe strawberry. With a clean texture and rich flavor, it's perfect for sipping all night. It is extremely clean in viscosity & texture, and flavorful. SMV +7.0  Polishing 55%  Alcohol 15%

 

Tamano Hikari Junmai Daiginjo, Kyoto

玉乃光酒造 純米吟醸 伏見区京都市

720ml $1,550

Although from a reputable brewery from a very historic region, this is not your typical Junmai Daiginjo. The humble expression of “ginjo-ka,” full of white flowers and a hint of anise. On the palate, it has a layered depth from the Omachi rice grown in Okayama prefecture — the birthplace of this heirloom strain. This sake will give you a different impression with each sip. SMV +3.5  Polishing 50%

  

Tatenokawa Foo Fighters Dewasansan Blue Junmai Daiginjo

720ml $1950

A Junmai Daiginjo sake created to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Foo Fighters and the release of their 10th album "Medicine At Midnight". This HANSHO Blue was brewed to the music of the Foo Fighters’ pop music genre. It has a gorgeous aroma and a light sweetness. SMV -1.0  Polishing 50%

 

Tatenokawa Foo Fighters Omachi Silver Junmai Daiginjo

720ml $1950

This HANSHO Silver was brewed to the Foo Fighters’ rock music genre. The rock aspects create a heavy and expressive flavor with a sharp aftertaste. It has a well-structured mouthfeel and a dignified appearance. SMV -1.0  Polishing 50% 

 

NIGORI

 Kikusui Perfect Snow Nigori Genshu, Niigata

300ml $450

Japan’s #1 selling nigori sake. “Perfect Snow” is a pure, undiluted, and roughly filtered sake by Kikusui. It’s alcohol content of 21% will whoop you with a refreshing and sweet taste, while it has a full texture. n diluted with water allowing you to enjoy the pure sake flavor. SMV -19.0  Polishing 70%  Alcohol 21%

 

Kizakura Junmai Nigori

300ml $350

Kizakura Nigori sake has a fresh and light flavor with low-alcohol content. Semi sweet and some sour taste. SMV -35.0  Polishing 70%  Alcohol 10%

 

Kizakura Junmai Nigori Matcha

300ml $350

Kizakura twists traditional sake with a new flavor of Kyoto Matcha. It has a light Matcha flavor with milky and sweet honeydew flavor with a hint of pistachio. SMV -35.0  Polishing 70%

SPARKLING SAKE

Kikusui Funaguchi Sparkling Nama Genshu, Niigata

270ml $325

Funaguchi Sparkling is a canned sparkling sake with fun, wonderful textured bubbles, and robust flavor. Being un-pasteurized (Nama) offers unbeatable freshness & richness. SMV -3.0  Polishing 70%  Alcohol 19%

  

Shirakabegura Mio Sparkling Sake, Hyogo

300ml $350 

Named using the Japanese word for areas of light, shallow water in oceans or rivers, this sparkling sake has a playful carbonation that delivers pleasing flavors of pear and grape brightly across the palate. Gently sweet flavor combines with a moderate acidity. SMV -70.0  Polishing 65%