Known worldwide as Japan’s national drink, sake is made from fermented rice that has been milled or polished to remove its outer layer or bran. Even though sake is sometimes referred to as white wine, it is actually produced through the brewing process in which starch is converted into sugars and fermented into alcohol. Sake is non-carbonated and contains around 14% to 16% alcohol.
Sake comes in two main categories — standard sake (futsushu) and premium sake (tokutei meishoshu). Essentially, the more the rice has been polished and the less grain left before the brewing process, the finer the sake. In standard sake, less than 30% of the grain has been removed. Premium sake is classified according to the degree of milling (the more polished the rice, the finer the sake) and fermentation techniques. Here are the main designations.
Dento Junmai
Dento Junmai is a highly fragrant sake that is incredibly well balanced with an elegant sweetness and clean finish. This well-structured sake has a subtle, nutty note to it and it can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes including meat, seafood or pasta. Can be enjoyed chilled, room temperature or warmed.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Nutty
Alcohol: 13%
Acidity: 1.7
Recommended Pairing: Meat, Cheese
Yoshi No Gawa
Yoshi No Gawa is a subtle yet complex sake with lightly floral aromatics, soft acidity and a very smooth finish. Both tropical and stone fruit notes can be detected including honeydew melon, lychee and peach along with linden, anise and grape. This clean and crisp sake pairs extremely well with sushi and sashimi.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Linden, Anise, Muscat Grape
Alcohol: 15.5% Acidity: 1.2
Recommended Pairing: Sashimi, Sushi, Cheese
Dassai 45
Dassai 45 is a light and bright sake that combines fruity citrus and fragrant floral notes with the subtle aroma of clove. With its soft, clean finish, it lends itself perfectly to being paired with a variety of foods including sushi and sashimi but also with meat dishes.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Orange, Clove, Toasted Malt
Alcohol: 16%
Acidity: 1.4
Recommended Pairing: Sashimi, Sushi, Meat
Shichihonyari Wataribune
Junmai Daiginjo
Shichihonyari Wataribune Junmai Daiginjo is a light and bright sake with fruit forward notes of pear and a subtle yet distinct rice flavour. The aromas of fennel and licorice are present and this craft-brewed sake, best served slightly chilled, pairs extremely well with light to medium flavoured cheese and seafood.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Fennel, Licorice, Pear, Rice
Alcohol: 15.5%
Acidity: 1.8
Recommended Pairing: Seafood, Cheese
Kagatobi Ai
Junmai Daiginjo
Kagatobi Ai Junmai Daiginjo is a delightfully fragrant sake that combines the earthy notes of fennel, anise and licorice with the very mild essence of fruit. In order to enjoy this sake at its peak, serve it chilled between 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 to 16 degrees Celsius. Pairs exceptionally well with seafood and cheese.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Fennel, Anise, Licorice
Alcohol: 16%
Acidity: 1.4
Recommended Pairing: Seafood, Cheese
Koto Sen Nen
Junmai Ginjo
Koto Sen Nen Junmai Ginjo is a mildly sweet, fruity and floral delight to enjoy. It is full-bodied and offers a smooth mouthfeel with notes of melon and grape and ends with a slightly acidic finish. Rich dishes like beef short rib or peking duck make the perfect compliment.
Taste Profile: Light and Sweet
Tasting Notes: Floral, Melon, Grapes
Alcohol: 15.2%
Acidity: 1.3
Recommended Pairing: Beef, Chicken, Fish, Seafood
Kubota Manju
Junmai Daiginjo
Kubota Manju Junmai Daiginjo is considered to be one of the finest sakes around. It has multiple layers of flavour that provide a unique taste experience with each and every sip. Both lightly sweet and floral, it has a plush, luxurious mouthfeel on the palate. Enjoy with sashimi, sushi or seafood.
Taste Profile: Light and Sweet
Tasting Notes: Flower
Alcohol: 15%
Acidity: 1.6
Recommended Pairing: Sashimi, Sushi, Seafood
Tatenokawa Shuryu
Junmai Daiginjo
Tatenokawa Shuryu Junmai Daiginjo is a delightfully sweet and light sake with distinctive fresh, floral notes to it. With an incredibly luscious full-bodied mouthfeel, this sake is meant to be savoured and is best served either chilled or at room temperature. Pairs beautifully with sashimi, sushi or seafood.
Taste Profile: Rich and Sweet
Tasting Notes: Floral
Alcohol: 15.5%
Acidity: 1.6
Recommended Pairing: Sashimi, Seafood
Eikun You’s Time
Eikun You’s Time is a very sweet and delicate sake with an aromatic note of yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit. This smooth and easy to drink sake even for beginners can be enjoyed either chilled, with soda, or warmed. Pairs extremely well with white fish or sashimi and makes an excellent dessert complement to fresh fruit.
Taste Profile: Sweet
Tasting Notes: Yuzu
Alcohol: 12%
Acidity: 10.9
Recommended Pairing: White Fish, Sashimi, Fruity Dessert
Born Chogin
Junmai Daiginjo
Born Chogin Junmai Daiginjo is simply a delight with its moderately sweet profile that combines the fruity aroma of ripe melon, banana, pineapple, and papaya with a note of honey and caramel. This treasure is aged for over five years in subzero temperatures which help the caramel flavor to develop. Pairs well with seafood.
Taste Profile: Rich and Semi-dry
Tasting Notes: Melon, Banana, Pineapple and Papaya
Alcohol: 16%
Acidity: 1.7
Recommended Pairing: Sashimi, Sushi, Seafood, Cheese
Born Dreams Come True
Junmai Daiginjo
Born Dreams Come True Junmai Daiginio is a very appropriate name for this incredibly rich and complex sake. The nose is composed of an elegant mix of white flowers with apricot, pear and peach notes. Its luscious texture creates an incredible mouth feel on your palate that pairs extremely well with cheese.
Taste Profile: Rich and Dry
Tasting Notes: Apricot, Pear, Peach
Alcohol: 16%
Acidity: 1.8
Recommended Pairing: Cheese
Otokoyama
Junmai Daiginjo
Otokoyama Junmai Daiginjo is a beautifully complex hand-crafted sake with soft notes of pineapple and plum on the nose and a luscious, velvety finish. This award-winning sake is best served chilled or room temperature. Light and dry, this would make an excellent pair to any sashimi, sushi or seafood dish.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Pineapple and Plum
Alcohol: 16%
Acidity: 1.3
Recommended Pairing: Sashimi, Sushi, Seafood
Sharaku Junmai
Daiginjo Shizuku
Sharaku is a sophisticated, complex sake that combines fruit notes from pear, peach and grape with floral aromas from jasmine and white flowers. This premium sake is crafted slowly through a centuries-old method of dripping by bags and very few cases are produced each year. Pair this with sashimi, sushi or seafood.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Pear, Peach, Muscat Grape
Alcohol: 16%
Acidity: 1.5
Recommended Pairing: Sashimi, Sushi, Seafood
Masumi Sanka
Junmai Daiginjo Limited
Masumi Sanka is a fresh and fragrant fruit forward sake with notes of pineapple and a hint of freshly cut grass. “Sanka” means mountain flower and just like its name suggests, it is extremely elegant, subtle, fresh, and delicious. Pairs exquisitely well with shellfish, white fish, chicken and salads.
Taste Profile: Light and Dry
Tasting Notes: Pineapple, Green Apple
Alcohol: 16%
Acidity: 1.9
Recommended Pairing: Shellfish, White Fish, Chicken, Salads
