Hakutsuru Junmai Sake

Not bad for 11 bucks.

I grade sake by its aroma. The stronger its aroma, the better. I also take its price into grading. If something is way too expensive, that’s going to affect its grading negatively unless it has got a God-tier aroma or something to offset its price.

I also take its taste into account although it’s not a significant factor. But, if something tastes unique in a positive way, then bonus points.

Hakutsuru Junmai Sake

This sake is cheap. I mean it’s 11 CAD per a 720ml bottle. Again, cheap doesn’t mean it’s bad when it comes to sake.

This is filtered sake, and its liquid is crystal clear.

When served warm, all I tasted was ethanol taste. I’ve tried a 2nd bottle a week later. There isn’t really anything else. No aroma whatsoever. It does appear to have a tint of a sweet taste, but that’s probably due to the ethanol.

In short, it’s one of those sake which is literally just a weaker version of vodka. So, it doesn’t matter how it is served. Warm, cold, or room temp, just do it however you’d like.

It does go down rather smoothly. Some cheap sake tend to burn your throat as it goes down.

In the end, given its price, I am going to put this under decent. I guess this type of sake has its place. I am looking for mainly good aroma, but that’s just me.