HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo is a new brand from the famous Champagne winemaker Regis Camus. It’s received a lot of good press. And after tasting it, I can see why.
This review of HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo explains how this sake is made, what it tastes like, and pairing recommendations. And you can also purchase the sake and have it delivered, as well.
A New Kind of Junmai Ginjo
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo is unique and vibrant. It’s a blend of multiple sake brewed in Miyagi by Urakasumi.
The practice of layering totally different sake into one complex bottling is rare. But it’s the defining technique of HEAVENSAKE.
Four premium junmai daiginjo and junmai ginjo sake are blended with rice milling between 40-60%. Master chef de cave Regis Camus tastes the sake separately and combines them to create something new and complex.
I don’t know of many brands made this way. And it’s not a novelty either. HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo is layered and sophisticated.
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo Specs*
- +2 SMV
- 1.4 Acidity
- 15% ABV
- Brewed with moderately hard water
- Seimaibuai from 40-60%
*Measured values like sake meter value (SMV), acidity, and alcohol content change from year to year.
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo Tasting Notes
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo is fairly aromatic. It has notes of bubblegum, fresh flowers, white grape, green apple, and lemon peel. There’s also a charming grassy quality on the nose.
On the palate, it’s dry, soft, and medium-bodied. HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo has a smooth finish but with a hint of bitterness (nigai).
Flavors include ripe peach, d’Anjou pear, cantaloupe, banana, lemon zest, steamed white rice, and spearmint.
Overall, this is a classic junmai ginjo sake: aromatic, fruity, floral, and smooth. But HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo has more depth and intensity than most brands.
Temperature Recommendations
Most junmai ginjo sake tastes best when chilled. And I think HEAVENSAKE is no exception. It’s more aromatic, complex, and vibrant chilled.
And HEAVENSAKE recommends you serve it cold, as well. And it’s hard to argue against that.
But you can serve it warm if you must. Heat doesn’t destroy this sake, though it’s a much more straightforward flavor profile. There’s a little bit of fruit. And the semi-bitter minty flavor is accentuated.
As HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo cools off and approaches room temperature, the flavor improves. Complexity returns, and there’s a sophisticated balance between fruit, mineral, and herbal notes.
Still, chilled or cold is undeniably tastier.
What’s the Best Cup or Glass?
There is no right or wrong answer to the best cup. But the choice will affect how HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo tastes and smells.
Larger vessels like wine glasses hold aroma better and spread sake across the palate. This makes the sake seem more aromatic, dry, and fresh. And any subtle notes will be easier to detect in a wine glass, as well.
The small traditional ochoko is the most popular sake cup. It makes the aroma faint and the flavor seem sweeter and lighter.
The guinomi is a larger traditional sake cup. It holds a lot more volume than ochoko. And this is important because it helps with aroma detection. Dryness, acidity, and complexity are also enhanced in a guinomi.
Learn more about traditional and modern sake cups here.
HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo Pairings
There are many possible pairings for this junmai ginjo.
HEAVENSAKE recommends it with sushi, sashimi, and pizza. The first two are obvious. Light, fruity, clean sake like this is nearly always a good match with sushi and sashimi
Pizza seems less obvious, but it’s a great idea. Mild cheese and tomato are a perfect combination with this sake. And HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo’s herbal notes also marry with pizza.
My top recommended pairing is mackerel. Whether it’s shime saba sushi or salt-grilled saba shioyaki, this minty, fruity, and fresh sake is perfect. Other oily or fatty fish will also pair well. This includes salmon, herring, and anchovies.
Other pairings for HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo include raw or fried oysters, amaebi, tempura, salads, and salty cheese.
Click here to learn some epic Japanese food and beverage pairings.
Buy HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo
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JUNMAI GINJO – $39.99
from: Lucky Sake AG
Conclusion
After tasting HEAVENSAKE Junmai Ginjo, it’s obvious that innovative blending techniques can produce complex sake.
If you’ve tasted this junmai ginjo or the other HEAVENSAKE products, I’d love to hear your opinion.
And finally, be sure to check out my reviews of the earthy and mild HEAVENSAKE Junmai 12 and the super fruity and smooth HEAVENSAKE Junmai Daiginjo!