Sake approaches art in a bottle of Dassai 23. Produced in the Chuoguku region of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Dassai 23 is a premium junmai daiginjo sake. The claim to fame of this world-class sake is its near-impossible rice polishing ratio. Its premium Yamadanishiki rice is milled down to a painstaking 23% of its original rice grains. The feat […]
With its eye-catching blue bottle, Kikusui Junmai Ginjo ends up as an introduction to premium Japanese sake for many future sake drinkers. And while we hesitate to recommend choosing sake based on its aesthetics, this junmai ginjo is more than a pretty face: It's one of the best sakes from Japan for beginners and seasoned […]
With a name translated to "Demon Slayer," it's hardly surprising that Wakatake Onikoroshi Junmai Daiginjo is one of Japan's most famous sake exports. We'd estimate that the moniker was a marketing ploy by the Omuraya Brewing Company rather than a reflection of the texture or taste of this top-rated junmai daiginjo sake. Despite an alcohol […]
Beginner to Japanese sake? One of the first questions that may surface is: What is sake meter value (SMV)? Sake meter value is a standard measure of sake sweetness and dryness. When choosing between sweet or dry sake, the SMV is often the first point of departure. That's not to say it's the end-all-be-all of determining sweet (辛口) versus dry (甘口) sake! Let's dig a little deeper […]
Need an introduction to nigori sake? Grab yourself a bottle of Tozai Snow Maiden. This junmai nigori, hailing from Kyoto Prefecture, is one of Japan's most iconic nigori sakes. Its graceful name pays tribute to Hanako (Flower Maiden), a legendary koi who lived in the cool icy waters underfoot at Mount Ontake for 226 years. […]
You might often hear sake referred to as "rice wine." Even the Japanese themselves are sometimes guilty of it. So, it's no surprise that many newbies to Japan's national beverage ask: Is sake wine? The simple answer is: No, sake is not wine. Sake is, well, sake! Sake occupies its own category among other alcoholic […]
Newcomer to Japan's national beverage? One of the first questions you'll have is: What is sake made of? As with other fermented alcoholic beverages like beer or wine, sake can be brewed with minimal ingredients. The essential sake ingredients are: rice koji water yeast The quality of the individual ingredients in the sake brewing process […]
While doesn't (yet!) have the same world-famous reputation as champagne, there's hardly a better way to celebrate a special occasion than popping open a bottle of the best sparkling sake. Setting some sparkling sake onto the table as an aperitif will both surprise and delight your dinner guests. The alcohol content is generally lower than […]
If purity is top of mind when it comes to choosing your brew, you'll love indulging in some of the absolute best organic sake during your sipping adventures. Organic sake is still a relatively niche market in the sake world. Nonetheless, every year more and more breweries are hopping on the bandwagon. Popular Japanese brands […]
For beginners yet to fully experience the art of sake-brewing, there's no better place to start than with the best junmai ginjo sake. Attaining both the junmai and ginjo label at the same time isn't simple. To qualify, sake brewers must polish the rice down to 60% of the grain. This compares to just 70% […]
As you might be aware from sake 101, brewing great sake is an art. And nowhere does its artistry shine brighter than with the best junmai daiginjo sake. Junmai daiginjo represents sake at its absolute finest. It's brewed using a rice grain with a minimum polishing ratio no more than 50% of its original grain […]
Looking for a satisfying & unique way to enjoy Japan's most popular spirit? Tempt your tastebuds with the best nigori sake. Nigori sake (nigori-zake) is a variety Japanese sake that's unfiltered. Unlike many other top-rated sakes, nigori is cloudy rather than clear. It's thanks to fine unfermented rice particles remaining from brewing process. In general, […]
Brand-new to Japan's national drink or already developed a taste? Finding recommendations for the best sake always expands the experience! Much like beer or wine, there are several different types of sake to enjoy. Each variety appeals to different tastes & preferences. There's no simple answer for choosing the perfect sake for every occasion or […]
Beginner to the wonderful world of Japanese sake? You don't want skip out on the basics of learning how to drink sake properly. With over 2,500 years of history behind it, sake should be savored and appreciated, not slung back like a frat boy shooting tequila. (Sadly, many sake beginners limit their experience with Japan's […]
One of the first questions that pops into the headers of future connoisseurs of Japan's distinctive national beverage is: What does sake taste like? Get all the answers you need with this quick & easy sake flavors guide... What is sake? Sake is an alcoholic beverage that's considered the national drink of Japan. Many colloquially […]
Nearly everyone has heard claims that drinking red wine in moderation can provide benefits such as lowering cholesterol and reducing your risk of heart disease. Far fewer people, however, are aware of the potential health benefits of sake, Japan's signature alcoholic beverage. Is sake healthy? It's counter-intuitive to think that drinking alcohol of any type […]
Now that you've learned the basics of sake and snagged up your first bottles of the most recommend sakes, you'll need to master how to store sake. One of the first things you'll need to know is that compared to other popular fermented beverages like wine, sake can be a little temperamental. Sake brewers take […]
Got a night of sake drinking planned? Before you indulge in this famous Japanese alcoholic beverage, you'll want to know: What is the alcohol content of sake? To answer the question, let's first look at what sake is. What is sake? Like wine and beer, sake is a fermented beverage. And although it's often called Japanese […]
Got some sake dating back to, well, who knows when? Before you decide to serve it to your guests, there's a good chance you're wondering: Does sake go bad? Like most alcoholic beverages, you won't find a best-before date on your favorite bottle of sake. While it might be common knowledge in Japan, most Westerners […]
Sake doesn't capture the same worldwide attention or reputation as fine wine or whiskey. But Japan's national drink, is as fascinating as beverages come. For novice sake sippers, the variety of different types of sake can be surprising. At its most basic, sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage (nihonshu) made from special sake rice. What […]
With over two millennia of history behind it, Japanese sake isn't your typical run-of-the-mill alcohol beverage. This traditional Japanese brew has become as synonymous with Japan as beer is to Germany. In Japan, it's not just a drink; it's a source of national pride. Sake is deeply entrenched within both ancient and modern Japanese culture […]