Sake Review: Karakuchi Kiippon is as dry as it wants to be

If you're trying sake for the first time, a small bottle of Karakuchi Kiippon might be a tempting place to start. At only 180mL, what do you have to lose if you don't like it? The question is, will this small sample be enough to bring you into the sake fold?

Packaging

Masumi's Karakuchi Kiippon is served in a pale blue bottle with a ceramic painted logo to lend it an air of premium quality. As noted in my last sake review, frosted bottles seem to be reserved for junmai daiginjo sake, so it should come as no surprise that this clear glass bottle contains junmai ginjo. It's important to keep in mind that the ginjo appellation does not necessarily equate with lower quality. One of the advantages of using more of the rice grain is the possibility of more flavour. Considering that Masumi utilizes famed Nagano rice in this sake, the extra grain could be a good thing.

Even if the daiginjo/ginjo distinction shouldn't be a dealbreaker, it is worth noting that the pro-rated price of the seemingly inexpensive 180 ml bottle ($10.55) does put it into the daiginjo price range of $17.00/300mL bottle, so let budget and taste guide you there.

Tasting

The first sip was neutral with a mild fruity flavour emerging which I was never able to place. Having tried two consecutive bottles of junmai daiginjo before this, the Karakuchi Kiippon did seem to have a thinner density. Whether this is a characteristic of junmai ginjo or merely a coincidence, I don't have enough experience to say at this time. There was a familiar touch of black liquorice at the finish as well.

Although the alcohol seemed well masked at first, when paired with a soya sauce flavoured rice dish there was a burning warm alcohol feeling at the back of my throat. This sensation disappeared once the palate was cleared, suggesting it was less an issue with the sake than the food pairing itself.

Readers familiar with Asahi Super Dry beer and the "karakuchi" (lit. dry mouth) printed at the top of every can might be wondering if this sake is "super dry" as well. When paired with food, I didn't detect any dryness of note; however, when sampled on its own it left me with a very dry mouthfeel, so it seems to come by the karakuchi in its name honestly.

Statistics

Sake Meter Value: +6
Acidity: 1.3
Amino Acid: 1.0
Alcohol %: 15.5 (The LCBO website lists it at 14.9%)
Semaibuai (milling rate): 55%

Verdict

The LCBO site claims Karakuchi Kiippon stands up well to heating, so if you don't like it cold, you can always serve it the old fashioned way. Given the small bottle size, it seems best suited for people who are A) drinking alone, B) trying sake for the first time, or C) short on cash. Otherwise, you might be better served going with a junmai daiginjo like Tamanohikari Omachi that retails for about the same price per 100mL.

Links

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For a second opinion, check out the Rate Beer website.

Masumi Website

LCBO Product Page