HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo is one of the most talked-about releases over the last few years. And after tasting it, I see why. It’s powerfully fruity, seductive, and smooth.
This review takes a deep dive into this award-winning sake. Learn about the unique way it’s made, how it tastes, pairing suggestions, and more. And you can also buy a bottle and have it delivered.
A Layered Junmai Daiginjo
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo is the most premium of the three sake lineup. Like the others, master Champagne blender Regis Camus takes different sake and blends them to make something new and complex.
HEAVENSAKE sources these various junmai daiginjo from Asahi Shuzo of Yamaguchi. This brewery makes the iconic Dassai sake brand.
All Dassai sake is junmai daiginjo. And the brewery only uses Yamada Nishiki rice. For HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo, Camus blends sake using this rice milled between 23-39%. Most likely, the source sake are variations of Dassai 23 and Dassai 39.
So how does HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo taste?
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo Tasting Notes
No surprise, HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo is fragrant. The nose is powerfully fruity and floral. There are notes of daphne, dried roses, fennel, yuzu zest, banana, and cotton candy.
If I had to sum up the flavor in one word, it would be juicy. HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo is vibrantly fruity. It’s also dry, velvety-soft, and smooth.
Tasting notes include strawberry, tangerine, honeydew, green grape, honey, jasmine, lavender, honey, cream, almond, and fresh-cooked white rice.
A lot is going on with this sake. It’s hard not to be impressed with HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo. The rich, fruity, and floral profile tastes luxurious. It’s certainly a crowd-pleaser.
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo Specs*
- +3 SMV
- 1.4 Acidity
- 16% ABV
- Brewed with very soft water
- Seimaibuai from 23-39%
*Measured values like sake meter value (SMV), acidity, and alcohol content change from year to year.
Temperature Recommendations
Let’s not overcomplicate this: serve HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo cold or chilled.
That’s how HEAVENSAKE recommends it, and I totally agree. Why?
Because heat burns away the aroma of fragrant sake. HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo has a gorgeous aroma, so why ruin it?
But just to be sure, I tried a little warm. The aroma was gone, but the flavor was still fruity though simpler. And the once smooth finish became slightly bitter and citrusy.
There is much more appropriate sake to serve warm than HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo.
What Glass is Best?
As always, the type of vessel that’s best is subjective.
I prefer a wine glass, especially for HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo. And that’s because I want to appreciate every little bit of fragrance this ultra-premium sake offers.
The large volume of a wine glass also makes flavors come alive too. And finally, sake tastes just a little bit dryer in a wine glass.
Small ochoko are what most drinkers will choose. The traditional feel is nice. But the tiny cups don’t leave headspace, so forget about appreciating the aroma. Sake also tastes sweeter and lighter in ochoko.
If you want a traditional feel, there’s a better option: guinomi. This is a larger sake cup. And the extra volume means you won’t miss out on the aroma or subtleties of flavor.
Check out my complete guide to sake cups here.
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo Pairings
HEAVENSAKE recommends pairing their junmai daiginjo with caviar or Parmigiano. And that does sound nice.
I would expand upon sturgeon roe and recommend ikura and mentaiko.
Most salty, mild, and/or fruity cheese will be good with HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo.
Other dishes I recommend include uni, grilled scallops, lobster, king crab, sashimi, grilled ayu, and salads with fruit.
Are you thinking about having a sashimi or sushi omakase? HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo is the perfect sake for that kind of dining experience.
Learn about some of the top Japanese food and drink pairings with my free guide.
Buy HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo
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JUNMAI DAIGINJO – $84.99
from: Lucky Sake AG
Conclusion
It’s no surprise that sake with Dassai DNA would be delicious, fruity, and smooth. But knowing this, HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo still managed to impress me.
Have you tried it, and if so, what are your thoughts?
And finally, be sure to check out my reviews of the savory and refreshing HEAVENSAKE Junmai 12 and the balanced, complex HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo!