Drinks category pick for the week of 8/4/08
Here's what I said then:
Wakatake Daiginjo Sake was recommended by our waitress at Zenkichi and we loved it. So now, instead of my usual complete and utter ignorance and confusion when faced with sake choices, I have a name I can turn to.
We got a bottle at Mitsuwa last week and it's as good we remembered. Easy to drink, clear, but with a strong little kick. It is according to this site also the drink if you:
“Want to drink like a Japanese gangster? Japan's Sake wines are rated by purity, and Wakatake's Daiginjo-rated Onikoroshi ($30/720ml) is one of the purest and craziest available. Though there are many Onikoroshi (“Demon Killer”) sakes out there, this particular one is guaranteed to have you slouched and fuming spicy vapors after only a single glass. Just make sure you get the right brand — it won't taste quite the same unless it's Wakatake Daiginjo Onikoroshi.”
Whoa, who knew? Diaginjo does indeed mean demon slayer (!) But in sake terms I've gathered it means that the rice has been highly polished through labor intensive means. This process gets rid of the less desirable parts of the rice and results in a finer sake.
Runner Ups:
Ronnybrook Shake
Hotel Delmano
Creme de Violette
Radegast
Constant Comment
But what do you think?