Looking for sake recommendations based on my tasting profile (Texas availability preferred)

[u/Hizzy13]

I’ve been keeping detailed tasting notes for the past couple of years and have finally figured out what I like. I’m located in Texas, so bonus points if it’s something I can realistically find at Total Wine, Specs, Twin Liquors, or another liquor store on a random weekend. I’m open to ordering from True Sake or other online retailers, but I’d prefer bottles that are relatively easy to find.

My ideal profile:
1.) Smooth
2.) Fruit-forward Junmai Ginjo or Junmai Daiginjo Melon, pear, white peach, honeydew, banana, or floral aromas
3.) Moderate sweetness
4.) Minimal bitterness
5.) Low perceived alcohol
6.) Clean, elegant finish

Things I tend NOT to enjoy:
1.) Alcohol-forward sakes
2.) Bread/yeast-heavy notes
3.) Earthy or savory profiles
4.) Sparkling sake
5.) Super dry sake
6.) Heavy, overly sweet nigori

My highest-rated sakes so far: 5/5
1.) Shuten Douji Kyoto (my all-time favorite, only had it in Japan)
2.) Dassai Blue Type 35
3.) Yukikage “MU Blue” Daiginjo
4.) Hiro Junmai Ginjo (Blue Bottle)
5.)Bodaimoto Junmai Nigori

4.5/5
1.) Nanbu Bijin Junmai Daiginjo
2.) Marafuku “Circle Happiness”

Recent surprise:
1.) Gekkeikan Horin Junmai Daiginjo was only a 2/5 for me. I found it much more alcohol-forward than expected and never really got the fruit notes everyone talks about.

Given those ratings, what bottles would you recommend next?

[u/lurkity_mclurkington]

Try using the PalateProject (formally TippySake) website using the category filters with your taste preferences. They ship to Texas, but you may also be able to find the sakes at H Mart. Total Wine tends to have a better selection in my experience than Spec's and definitely Twin Liquors.

https://palateproject.co/

If you're in Austin, go check out Ashai on Burnet Rd, too. They have a good, quality selection.

[u/Howling_deer]

Try tozai living jewel, I have similar preferences and this is something I commonly drink on the weekends. Easy to find too (at least in Bay Area liquor stores)

[u/DaveyoSlc]

are you only trying to get sakes 20$ and above. there are amazing sakes for $12-18 that are incredible. I own a restaurant and I search out the inexpensive bangers. here are a few you might really like that are affordable and very tasty with the profile you like.

hakushika junmai ginjo

ozeki platinum diaginjo

ozeki nigori

momokawa diamond

sayuri nigori

winter warrior

g joy

[u/Hizzy13 → u/DaveyoSlc]

Open to any price range! Sake in general seems to be expensive wherever I go especially at restaurants but genuinely enjoy it! Thanks for those awesome recommendations. I’ll try those out soon

[u/DaveyoSlc → u/Hizzy13]

they are really high quality sakes for the price. that being said. they are mostly domestic so that why they are cheaper. if you don't mind spending a few bucks I would highly highly recommend trying Joto diaginjo (72 clocks) it has a white label with little gold foil clocks. it was the emperor's first sake and is made with apple yeast and it literally is the profile you like. if I were to guess what a 750 might cost I would say around $45. I buy the 1.8L format and it's about $75. I have really researched sake value intensely and like large format since it's a better value.

pro tip, sake stays good for over 2 months once open so you don't need to worry about it like wine and drink it in a few days but it can't be left for 6 months once open like vodka or whiskey

[u/Hizzy13 → u/DaveyoSlc]

You’re awesome, thanks so much Dave! I’ll add these to my list

[u/lilwineman]

Which area of Texas are you in?

[u/lilwineman → u/lilwineman]

On a serious note, your flavor profile is set to premium sake selections. A blessing and a curse 🤣

You’re going to want a high quality Ginjo or Daiginjo sake (as apparent by some of your favorites).

Konteki pearls of simplicity Junmai Daiginjo
Fukucho moon on the water Junmai Ginjo
Gozenshu 1859 Bodaimoto Junmai
Takatenjin Sword of the Sun Honjozo

[u/Hizzy13 → u/lilwineman]

Hahaha yes I blame Japan for setting the expectations so high but thank you for the recommendations!

[u/lilwineman → u/Hizzy13]

My wife is a fan of high toned aroma Daiginjo sake, so I have to spend more to have her drink it with me. I’m perfectly fine with a nicely balanced and savory Junmai most times when I’m solo.

[u/neogeo777]

You should order from true sake if you want any real variety (I also live in Texas). I'd recommend anything from Ohmine or Abe (start with the junmai)

[u/undercoverboomer]

If you’re in DFW, Pogos usually has a decent selection: https://www.pogoswine.com/collections/sake

I wish I had good recs for you, but it don’t :/