Shimizu-No-Mai ‘pure Dusk’ Junmai Daiginjo Sake

Shimizu-No-Mai “Pure Dusk” Junmai Daiginjo Sake is the flagship of the brand’s Pure Series and represents one of the highest quality tiers in the sake world. “Junmai Daiginjo” indicates that the sake is made exclusively from rice, water, koji, and yeast, with no distilled alcohol added, and that the rice is polished to at least 50% of its original size. Pure Dusk exceeds that benchmark: it is brewed from locally grown Akita Sake Komachi rice polished down to 45%, creating a remarkably clean, refined base for brewing. 

The sake is produced by the historic Takashimizu brewery in Akita, a region renowned for its cool climate, pristine water, and long brewing tradition. The brewery draws ultra-soft water from the confluence of three rivers carrying cold mountain runoff, an essential factor in the delicacy and clarity of the final sake. 

In the glass, Pure Dusk is crystal clear. The nose shows bright, focused fruit: pear and green apple framed by a gentle mineral note. On the palate it is light yet structured, with layers of fresh orange peel and ripe cantaloupe giving a rounded, juicy impression without tipping into sweetness. The Sake Meter Value of +1 and balanced acidity (around 1.4) translate into a subtly dry profile and a medium-length finish that feels clean rather than sharp. 

This is a food-first sake. Its finesse and dryness make it a natural partner for sashimi, sushi, shrimp, steamed white fish, tempura, and lightly seasoned poultry or vegetable dishes. Retailers and the producer alike recommend it with traditional Japanese cuisine, but it also works beautifully alongside modern Pan-Asian and seafood-led menus. 

For best results, serve Shimizu-No-Mai Pure Dusk slightly chilled, cool enough to highlight the fruit and minerality, but not so cold that the delicate aromatics are muted. It’s a smart choice for customers moving up from standard sake into the premium category, as well as wine drinkers who enjoy crisp whites and want to explore high-end Japanese sake with clarity, precision, and a distinctly modern style.