{"title":"Kyushu","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"chiyonosono-sacred-power","title":"Chiyonosono Junmai Ginjo \"Sacred Power\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eChiyonosono Junmai Ginjo has this gorgeous texture when chilled, that strikes me as utterly unique-- fuzzy, velveteen, smooth-- with flavors dialed in to perfect balance and clarity. Kombu dashi, velvety soft anjou pear, hay, chamomile, and salty sea spray. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"Sacred Power,\" a direct translation of \u003cem\u003eshinriki\u003c\/em\u003e, is made with 100% Shinriki rice. Shinriki is a old rice variety native to Honshu and very difficult to grow. It grows about 3x the height of standard crossbreeding rice. To grow it requires a lot of skill and patience. As a result Shinriki was long thought lost to time, falling out of cultivation for decades. The family's history with Shinriki encouraged them to bring it back: a distant relative of Chiyonosono in the late 1800s helped develop the sake-brewing strain of Shinriki that is used today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSo it’s very difficult to grow— it’s hard to find farmers willing to grow it. And it needs to be personally certified by a representative from the government every year to be an official sake rice for Kumamoto prefecture. Someone has to take a plane from Tokyo, drive out to the fields, and physically certify the rice every time. It’s a huge pain, so Chiyonosono tried to ask the importer if they could change the rice up a bit, or maybe use a blend of rice to make this product. However, the importer Kome Collective would not accept this and insisted on 100% Kumamoto shinriki rice. As a result, the Sacred Power we get is ONLY exported to the US— the Japanese version is a blend! If you visit the brewery, you can’t even try this 100% Shinriki sake. It's a US exclusive, and it sure is fantastic!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Columbia","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":41484851642524,"sku":"","price":43.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/sacred.png?v=1714429895"},{"product_id":"nishinoseki-tokubetsu-junmai-cup-180ml","title":"Nishinoseki Tokubetsu Junmai Daruma Cup (180ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis one-cup is a delicious representation of Southern-style sake: richer, bolder, a little bit sweeter, but not necessarily fruity. A soft note of brown sugar, yellow apple, ripe anjou pear, and a nice full texture, just a tad drier than other Southern cups, like Kumamon cup. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COHO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41307087241372,"sku":"","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/daruma_cup.png?v=1721883829"},{"product_id":"amabuki-junmai-omachi-yamahai","title":"Amabuki Junmai Omachi Yamahai Cup","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe true expressions of the marigold flower are noticeable both on the palate and nose of this sake, and are amplified by the Yamahai-jikomi brewing method's signature funky style. Excellent chilled, but the personality of Omachi rice and Yamahai-jikomi really shine when served gently warmed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"COHO","offers":[{"title":"180ml","offer_id":41331640336540,"sku":"","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/amabuki_orange.png?v=1721883829"},{"product_id":"amabuki-junmai-ginjo-himawari-cup","title":"Amabuki Junmai Ginjo \"Himawari\" Cup","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis earthy stunner has a hint of dryness on the finish that pairs beautifully with an array of different cuisines, and the unique sunflower yeast provides a rounded flavor you won’t soon forget. Notes of wildflowers and anise. Enjoy the smooth palate and crisp finish of this excellent and interesting sake. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COHO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41444335091868,"sku":"","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/amabuki_blue.png?v=1721927369"},{"product_id":"nina-no-uguisu-doburoku","title":"Niwa no Uguisu Doburoku","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNiwa no Uguisu contains only 6% alcohol by volume, making it very(!) easy to drink and well suited to a lazy afternoon. It’s delightfully thick with grains of rice, and has a nice fruity aroma. If you feel like nigori just isn't cutting it, and you need something really substantial, well...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDoburoku isn't usually a complex flavor, but it's comforting and lovely, nourishing and even healthy-feeling like amazake. Notes of apple, peach, melon, kiwi, a bit of tart grapefruit, and soft fresh mochi. If you’re a fan of Calpis, Yakult, white Ramune, or even drinkable kefir, you’ll probably be a huge fan of this light-hearted doburoku! I adore it, and special order cases year after year...and even despite a substantial price increase (SO bummed), it's a real beauty.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sunflowersake.com\/blogs\/news\/a-love-letter-to-doburoku\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eA Love Letter to Doburoku \u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAdapted from Sunflower Sake Club writeup, March 2022\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COHO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41534924914844,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/niwanouguisudoburoku.png?v=1699590437"},{"product_id":"amabuki-junmai-ginjo-ichigo-cup","title":"Amabuki Junmai Ginjo \"Ichigo\" Cup","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eStrawberry flower sake yeast is used to give this sake a uniquely complex and layered fruitiness that is indeed reminiscent of fresh wild strawberries and all of the forest understory that grows beside them-- power of suggestion, or something to it?  A succulent bottle loaded with new and interesting flavors. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe completely pasteurized cup version of this sake-- which was originally introduced as a namazake-- offers an interesting interpretation of the immensely popular Amabuki Ichigo (nama). It maintains the plush mouthfeel and rich body of the original, but the texture and flavor linger much longer than the nama. There's a tiny touch of sweetness on the finish but the balance is perfect and the overall impression is more serious than playful. It's the most \"ginjo\" of the three Amabuki cups, and perhaps the most representative of its yeast.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAn incredible value for this wee little gem!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COHO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42177983250588,"sku":"","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/Amabuki_ichigo.png?v=1721883829"},{"product_id":"amabuki-junmai-ginjo-i-love-sushi-cup","title":"Amabuki Junmai Ginjo \"I Love Sushi\" Cup","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis sake speaks for itself, the perfect choice for a casual sushi picnic. Amabuki's \"I LOVE SUSHI\" Junmai acts as a palate cleanser with its dry finish, soft acidity and moderate umami. The most mellow of the Amabuki lineup, using the rare, local Saga no Hana rice!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe cutest cup and a really fun and easygoing brew as well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COHO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42506359406748,"sku":"","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/sushicup.png?v=1714357839"},{"product_id":"koueigiku-tsukikage-moon-shadow-muroka-nama-genshu","title":"Koueigiku Tsukikage Kimoto Muroka Nama Genshu \"Moon Shadow\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eWow! That is such a fun and unusual flavor. I write this as I taste Shinriki Tsukikage for the first time, and I'm so stunned by the unique beauty of it. I think I'm going to struggle to write tasting notes, only because I can't do it concisely!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flavor of this sake can really be separated into 4 experiences for me. First, the aroma: ostensibly nothing too unique...yummy orchard fruit, some fresh cream, cultured butter notes... but I get the distinct smell of some of my favorite local Oregon Chardonnays with just a touch of that indulgent oak-buttery vibe (locals: think Martin Woods or Crowley!), an alluring quality that leaves me sniffing as much as sipping.\u003cbr\u003eNext, there's the palate. To start, a pretty typical nama-ness, full orchard fruit, peach, a little bit of mango, tropical, a little buttery and caramelized. Off-dry, higher than average acidity, super well balanced, really grounded. Then, the mid palate comes in with this really unusual...something. It's an umami quality, but it's not like anything I've had before. There's a sense of golden fields of grain, chamomile tea, and the sweet resinous quality of white sage. Smudge stick sake? Anyway, it's \u003cem\u003edifferent\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eThe finish is lingering....that's the last part. Because it lingers, it invites you think about this whole experience. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnyway, I love it. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could not be more proud to introduce our third Shinriki sake. One of the rarest, ancient varieties of rice in Japan!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"FIFTH","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44304694083740,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/Koueigiku_shinriki.png?v=1723492150"},{"product_id":"koueigiku-tasogare-twilight-orange-muroka-nama-genshu","title":"Koueigiku Tasogare \"Twilight\" Orange Muroka Nama Genshu","description":"\u003cp\u003eA juicy, complex, full-bodied sake with mandarin orange notes, orange julius, sharp acidity and an undulating finish filled with dense umami. Made with Saga Biyori, the table rice that's the pride of Saga prefecture, with undisclosed polishing and methodology typical of Koueigiku. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FIFTH","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44489758572700,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/Tasogare.png?v=1730508138"},{"product_id":"kameman-junmai-genmai-zake","title":"Kameman Junmai Genmai-zake \/ Genmaishu","description":"\u003cp\u003eSake made from 100% unpolished brown rice is a true rarity!  Kameman takes great care to select rice that is grown without the use of pesticides, since the character of the whole grain will be expressed in the final product. Brewing a brown rice sake is no simple feat- Hananishiki rice (Kumamoto's flagship sakamai) is gently crushed, rather than polished, so the koji can penetrate the starch core. Soaking and steaming takes twice as long, and additions are made very carefully by the toji to keep the fermentation on track. The sake is aged at the brewery before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose on this reads like a lighter koshu- the classic notes of caramel and dried fruit hit right away. But the first sip shows this is truly its own thing. I get notes of \u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e9b7d3bb-7fff-6462-5de9-543e2f7e1f88\" style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003estone roasted Japanese sweet potatoes, shochu lees, short crust, whole wheat cookie kit kats, dark brown sugar, buckwheat flower honey, sorghum syrup, baekseju...I could go on. Lovely chilled, and gently warmed to nurukan (~40°C), but I find that it really shines at room temperature in a snifter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44702772920476,"sku":"","price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/KamemanGenmaishu.png?v=1736741189"},{"product_id":"koueigiku-harujion-muroka-nama-genshu","title":"Koueigiku \"Harujion\" Muroka Nama Genshu","description":"\u003cp\u003eHarujion is the Japanese way of saying Halcyon, a word meaning idyllic, peaceful and prosperous. While opening a bottle of Harujion, you are greeted with a light pop as residual CO2 escapes. Once poured, harmonious aromas of fresh cut sunflowers, muscat grape and a slight grassiness fill the glass. On the palate it is tart and mouth coating, but with a refreshing acidity. The light prickle of CO2 remaining in the liquid heightens the impression of the sake as it leaves your palate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FIFTH","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44883816710300,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/Koueigiku_Harujion.png?v=1744152348"},{"product_id":"koueigiku-sunburst-muroka-nama-genshu","title":"Koueigiku \"Sunburst\" Muroka Nama Genshu","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs its name would imply, Sunburst is bright and invigorating with tart citrus notes, reminiscent of lemon yogurt. The bright acidity and prickly effervescence leads to an invigorating finish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FIFTH","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44883913670812,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/KoueigikuSunburst.png?v=1744152725"},{"product_id":"nabeshima-tokubetsu-junmai","title":"Nabeshima Tokubetsu Junmai","description":"","brand":"Columbia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45348793548956,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/Screenshot2025-10-09at4.52.18PM.png?v=1760054067"},{"product_id":"nabeshima-junmai-ginjo","title":"Nabeshima Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Columbia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45348793974940,"sku":null,"price":47.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/Screenshot2025-10-03at2.50.31PM.png?v=1760054088"},{"product_id":"koueigiku-mikatsuki-white-tojo-yamada-nishiki","title":"Koueigiku Mikatsuki White Tojo Yamada Nishiki","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.2; color: #333232; font-family: 'Gill Sans','Gill Sans Nova','Gill Sans MT',Calibri,'Trebuchet MS',sans‑serif; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; display: block; margin: 0 0 8px; padding: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sunflowersake.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AABqfN0LaenIX1RIJMR3q5GiUR5WzWWnPZqDhzha1l289EHIk1gy3Vu-FG0U2P0rHuQDsJVKM1QWnpWo2bekDxvDXxvt7c_rUfDBmWAmHcLBlJomFDFYbK9mhbXbxeHDPyZVsNMGrSEuBK-GNHAqV3CcckdBZC-CvGqWVBha9yWd7THeV65s-IauXq1JBfu6bXYeq96qgal3h7ehKcOYxwXPWt_vC_htWTk1LTjkPNohYka3ioogU1xoP5F0OUtTpx9Zh5_ymIabml1iRsgqpbZCp-u8UGuFRkcsKEcRbhl3LfsNnMDy9sX7h1Nu6m01xoNtzSCVKsFtzhZUkkKFnzsxhsmZdyHAtISuaeMxYC5p5630ed7XzyKOgtagfCcBknNFkmYmsyzB06W52qLrBU7ZuPnRV46fwDng4OiusOYjNPKvusFnYvq8kWcMFovLYD1aG0dQd20stVJmFJH_JvBE_kczKDnjSaFm92IjhUTXIrh3zSuIrLNRD1xgf2WzFU48YDILgUUhONQff7Ak0KX3dfZ2zRRFjHSPFm5IMMB5Egmvsfm8FZi3WLLIX2gbJw9f5X4I9Q==\" style=\"text-decoration: none; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.2; color: #333232; margin-bottom: 8px; font-family: 'Gill Sans','Gill Sans Nova','Gill Sans MT',Calibri,'Trebuchet MS',sans‑serif; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKoueigiku lovers, this tastes like it should be $90. This is without a doubt an upscale version of classic Koueigiku character: bright, floral, fruit, densely packed umami, a little mysterious, very moreish and complex, very difficult to not finish the bottle, phenomenal with food.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sunflowersake.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AABqfN0LaenIX1RIJMR3q5GiUR5WzWWnPZqDhzha1l289EHIk1gy3Vu-FG0U2P0rHuQDsJVKM1QWnpWo2bekDxvDXxvt7c_rUfDBmWAmHcLBlJomFDFYbK9mhbXbxeHDPyZVsNMGrSEuBK-GNHAqV3CcckdBZC-CvGqWVBha9yWd7THeV65s-IauXq1JBfu6bXYeq96qgal3h7ehKcOYxwXPWt_vC_htWTk1LTjkPNohYka3ioogU1xoP5F0OUtTpx9Zh5_ymIabml1iRsgqpbZCp-u8UGuFRkcsKEcRbhl3LfsNnMDy9sX7h1Nu6m01xoNtzSCVKsFtzhZUkkKFnzsxhsmZdyHAtISuaeMxYC5p5630ed7XzyKOgtagfCcBknNFkmYmsyzB06W52qLrBU7ZuPnRV46fwDng4OiusOYjNPKvusFnYvq8kWcMFovLYD1aG0dQd20stVJmFJH_JvBE_kczKDnjSaFm92IjhUTXIrh3zSuIrLNRD1xgf2WzFU48YDILgUUhONQff7Ak0KX3dfZ2zRRFjHSPFm5IMMB5Egmvsfm8FZi3WLLIX2gbJw9f5X4I9Q==\" style=\"text-decoration: none; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.2; color: #333232; margin-bottom: 8px; font-family: 'Gill Sans','Gill Sans Nova','Gill Sans MT',Calibri,'Trebuchet MS',sans‑serif; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe get mystery notes of clementine, orange flower, sweetened condensed milk, and a what-is-that?? aroma of balsawood Christmas candles \u0026amp; sweet warming spices. The palate is so rich with a compact acid-umami backbone it almost reads like enzymey bromelain on the tongue. The acidity and mouthfeel reminds me of ultra-ripe alfonso mango \u0026amp; kiwi, but at the same time the umami leans into this ultra-savory kokuto shochu note that is more clairin\/savory-toasted sugar than brownies. Molly called it \"protein-y\"-- I have no idea what that means, but I agree\u003c\/a\u003e. (Molly: I don't either!!)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the importer: \"Koueigiku rarely discusses rice type or milling, but for the Mikatsuki series (a second coming later this year), they feel it is important. The white label Mikatsuki is made with Tojo-grown Yamadanishiki milled to 40%.  Tojo is one of the most highly regarded rice growing sub-districts in Hyogo and their top grade Yamadanishiki is among the most expensive rice a brewery can buy. It is by far the most highly milled and delicate of the sakes that we import.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FIFTH","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47031080812700,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/files\/mikatsuki.png?v=1781738695"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/4075\/9964\/collections\/kyushu-japan-map-1.jpg?v=1669496476","url":"https:\/\/sunflowersake.com\/collections\/kyushu.oembed?page=2","provider":"Sunflower Sake","version":"1.0","type":"link"}