Type
Koueigiku Shuzo · Saga
Koueigiku Sukai Tokubetsu Junmai
$39.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Whatever local rice is available
Prefecture
Saga
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."
Ground shipping is $25 to $40, free at 12 bottles.
Free pickup at our Portland shop. An adult (21+) with photo ID must be present for delivery.
Specifications
Region: Kyushu
Type: Tokubetsu Junmai & Tokubetsu Honjozo
Style: Modern
Rice: Whatever local rice is available
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60-70%
ABV: 14%
SMV: n/a - house policy 非公開
Acidity: n/a - house policy 非公開
Size: 720ml
Shipping
Ships to most states, not Alaska, Hawaii or Utah. No sales tax (Oregon). Free Ground shipping at 12 bottles. Pickup at our Portland shop is free.
Pick up in person
Shop open Tu–Sun. Order online and pick up at the shop — 107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland, Oregon.
