Type
Koueigiku Sukai Tokubetsu Junmai
$38.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Whatever local rice is available
Flavor profileEach scale is our tasting-room read on where this bottle sits between two extremes — dry to sweet, light to full-bodied, soft to acidic, and subtle to aromatic. These are subjective, however, and will shift with food, serveware & temp.
DrySweetBalanced dry: reads as dry, with a little bit of softness, or maybe a fruit/brown sugar note that tempers the impression of dryness. Most people will read "2" as dry.
LightFullLight: lean and easy, mellow, has enough flavor and umami to give it character but generally really easy to drink. This is the most common weight for junmai ginjo/ginjo sake.
SoftAcidicAbove-average acidity, an important part of this sake's character, but nowhere near sour/tart. Lift, refreshing. When paired with higher sweetness, it creates a juicy, ripe impression.
SubtleAromaticAromatic: aroma is a big part of this sake's character and design. Perfume fills the glass. Usually "4" aroma is coming from ginjo-ka (fruit, florals).
A tad more subdued than their MNG offerings we've been enjoying at the shop.
My notes from a tasting near the brewery in November 2025 read: Soft aromas of orange blossom and lemon zest. Light and refreshing like a cool glass of water. Kyoho grape, sweet cream, and perfectly ripe banana. A crispy, short finish with a touch of astringency. -Molly
Vaguely tangeriney ginjo nose, fun and zesty. Palate delivers the same, with tart-sweet chinese mandarin and a sharp but not too sharp acidic inflection. Like a rounder more southern POG/tangeriney version of Tenbi that costs less. Sign me up, Scotty! -Nina
The pasteurized edition of Sukai is Koueigiku's first go at a standard issue brew- straight forward, consistent, a flag bearer of the brewery's style. Toji Yamamoto uses whatever local rice is on hand.
From the importer: "The name Sukai translates as "sky" and the profile strongly invokes a light, airy, effortless float among the clouds. From the first sip it is obviously Koueigiku. Bright, fruity, effervescent and sharp on the finish."
Your case:
$30 flat-rate case shipping (up to 12 bottles) — the more you add, the less per bottle. Per federal requirements, an adult (21+) with photo ID must be present to receive the delivery.
Sake Club members: $20 shipping (up to 12 bottles) with your club bottles About the clubs
Specifications
Region: Kyushu
Class: Tokubetsu Junmai
Style: Modern
Rice: Whatever local rice is available
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60-70%
ABV: 14%
Size: 720ml
Shipping
Available nationwide to states and counties that permit alcohol. No sales tax (Oregon). Flat-rate case shipping; in-store pickup available.
Pick up in person
Shop open Tu–Sun. Order online and pick up at the shop — 107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland, Oregon.
