Senkin 'Retro'

The Story

A nostalgic trip wrapped in a modern package. Part of the brewery's "Edo-gaeri" (return to Edo) series, "Retro" pays tribute to the sweet-and-sour Senkin style from about 20 years ago, before the current wave of fruit-forward sakes became trendy. It's the only sake in the series that uses Omachi rice, an heirloom variety known for its earthy character and depth. Brewed using the traditional kimoto method and groundwater from the nearby Kinu River, this bottle captures what made Senkin special in the first place while nodding to where they've been.

Tasting Profile

Aroma: Simple and fresh, with notes of banana and melon.

Palate: Full and expressive, with the distinctive light sweetness and robust acidity that Senkin is known for. The Omachi rice adds depth and a slightly earthy, rustic quality that sets it apart from the brighter "Modern" and "Classic" bottles.

Finish: Juicy and clean, with a lingering sweet-tart character.

Serving & Pairing

Serving Temperature: Chilled

Food Pairings: The sweet/sour profile works well with rich, savory, and umami-forward dishes. Try it with miso-glazed vegetables, scallops in cream sauce, or roasted chicken. It's also a natural with ikura (salmon roe) or anything soy-marinated.

Why We Love It

We love this bottle because it shows a different side of Senkin. If the "Modern" and "Classic" bottles are about pushing forward, "Retro" is about looking back: honoring the brewery's roots and the funky, characterful style they were making before they became cult favorites. The Omachi rice gives it a depth and earthiness you don't get in the other releases, and the sweet/sour interplay is classic Senkin through and through. It's a bottle for fans who want to dig deeper into what this brewery is all about.

Specs

About the Brewery: Senkin Shuzo
Founded in 1806 during the Edo period, Senkin is now run by 11th-generation brothers Kazuki and Masato Usui, who work together as brewer and toji. The brewery operates like a domaine or estate winery: all of their rice is contract-farmed within five minutes of the brewery using the same water source that feeds their brewing wells. Their motto is "do nothing unnecessary," which means all of their sake are brewed in small batches and are muroka (unfiltered), genshu (undiluted), and nama (unpasteurized), then bottle-aged at near-freezing temperatures. The name Senkin means "a crane serving a hermit," and the brewery has become known for sakes that are brighter, juicier, and more acidic than the norm—a style that has earned them a devoted following among drinkers looking for something different.