Japanese Sake (Nihonshu)

Sake (nihonshu) is a brewed Japanese rice drink, made from rice, water, koji and yeast. We stock ... more

Sake (nihonshu) is a brewed Japanese rice drink, made from rice, water, koji and yeast. We stock premium bottles from some of Japan's best breweries, for drinking and for the table.

Grade comes down to the polishing ratio, how much of the outer rice grain is milled away before brewing. The more the rice is polished, the cleaner and more refined the sake. The main grades:

• Junmai: pure rice sake, full and savoury.
• Junmai Ginjo: rice polished to at least 60%, lighter and more aromatic.
• Junmai Daiginjo: polished to at least 50%, the most refined and fragrant.
• Honjozo: a touch of distilled alcohol added, crisp and easy-drinking.

We also carry speciality styles: aged (koshu), unpasteurised (nama / namazake) and cloudy unfiltered (nigori). Browse the range below.