Sake Experience 2021
HYPER JAPAN’s popular sake tasting event, Sake Experience, is now available online for the first time. Buy a Sake Experience Tasting Box by your favourite sake brewery and join us for an exclusive online session.
WHAT SAKE BREWERIES WILL BE PARTICIPATING AND WHEN WILL THE ONLINE SESSIONS BE HELD?
Gekkeikan: 8-9pm Fri 9 Jul
Gekkeikan Sake Company, Kyoto Prefecture
Established in 1637 in Fushimi, Kyoto, Gekkeikan is one of the world’s oldest producers of fine quality sake, and remains a family-run company after 14 generations of sake brewing. With innovation held in highest regard, Gekkeikan’s many ground-breaking techniques have led the sake industry for over a century.
CONTENTS OF THE TASTING BOX
Gekkeikan Yamada Nishiki Tokubetsu Junmai, 300 ml
“Tokubetsu” means “special”, and this premium tokubetsu junmai sake has been made using 100% yamadanishiki rice, used in high quality sake for the rich flavours and aromas it imparts. This tokubetsu junmai has a delicate floral aroma, a well-rounded palate and a refreshing aftertaste. Light and versatile, it is perfectly suited to be enjoyed with meals, either chilled, room temperature, or warm.
Gekkeikan Namazake, 280 ml
Namazake is completely unpasteurised sake—the fresh, lively flavour can usually only be enjoyed at the brewery. Gekkeikan’s Namazake uses ultra-microfiltration to remove the elements that would normally spoil unpasteurised sake, while still retaining the great taste. Yeast-derived banana aromas and fruity flavours are prominent, with a light, clean, refreshing palate. Best served well-chilled.
Gekkeikan Nigori, 300 ml
A long-time popular product from Gekkeikan, this nigori sake has a delicious balance of sweetness and acidity. Lower in ABV than other sake, it is full-bodied, sweet, and easy-drinking, as an aperitif or even served with dessert. Best served chilled, either straight or on the rocks, or even added to cocktails for a visual and textural highlight.
Thai-Nichi Arare Rice Cracker Mix, 35 g
Dassai, Asahi Shuzo: 2-3pm Sat 17 Jul
Dassai, Asahi Shuzo, Yamaguchi Prefecture
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Asahi Shuzo has a defining commitment to producing only premium junmai daiginjo sake using a careful combination of tradition and cutting-edge technology. Since releasing Dassai in 1990, the company has used an experience-led approach to select the best from both old and new. Asahi Shuzo aims to create the highest quality sake as a means to enhance and celebrate life, rather than mass-produced sake for getting drunk. As a quality conscious brewery, Asahi Shuzo focuses on sharing its values and products globally to enable people around the world to discover and enjoy delicious sake.
CONTENTS OF THE TASTING BOX
Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo, 180ml
Made from yamadanishiki rice polished to 23%, this sake is the signature product that has made Dassai’s name known worldwide. Delivering delicate floral aromas with a palate reminiscent of honey and an elegant lasting finish. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this sake will be donated to medical professionals fighting COVID-19.
Dassai 39 Junmai Daiginjo, 180ml
39 refers to the high degree of rice polishing. Showing a luscious and juicy character with a nectar-like sweetness on the palate, followed by a long bright finale.
Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo, 180ml
Delivering tropical fruit aromatics and delicate sweetness recalling honeydew melon, tempered by mild acidity. Clean, soft, and beautifully balanced in both aroma and taste.
Shirakabegura: 3-4pm Sat 24 Jul
Shirakabegura, Hyogo Prefecture
This brewery is located in Nada, one of Japan’s foremost sake making regions. Their unique approach combines modern facilities with traditional methods. Here, a passionate team uses an arsenal of techniques to brew stunning sake, almost entirely by hand.
CONTENTS OF THE TASTING BOX
Shirakabegura MIO Sparkling Sake, 300ml
This gently carbonated, low-alcohol sake showcases the natural sweetness and fruitiness of rice. A great introductory sake, ideal as an aperitif or served with a light sweet course, such as fruit or sorbet.
Type of Sake: Sparkling
Rice Variety: Gohyakumangoku
Rice Polish Ratio: 60 %
ABV: 5%
Best Served: Chilled
Shirakabegura Junmai Daiginjo, 300ml
A gently lactic nose of mint, sage, nectarine, and banana. Smooth and well-textured, with a balance of honey sweetness, spice, and pleasant astringency, and a lingering finish. Enjoy with Greek salad, Thai green curry, sashimi.
Type of Sake: Junmai daiginjo
Rice Variety: Yamadanishiki
Rice Polish Ratio: 45%
ABV: 15-16%
Best Served: Chilled, Room temp., Warm
Kyo Yuzu, 500ml
This clean, fresh liqueur is made using yuzu citrus grown in Kyoto. The balance of tangy and sweet works well with desserts such as cheesecake and sorbet. Or it can be served mixed with sparkling wine as a welcome cocktail.
ABV: 12%
Best Served: Chilled
Ozeki: 7.30-8.30pm Fri 6 Aug
Ozeki, Hyogo Prefecture
The history of Ozeki dates back to 1711, when it began to brew sake in the Imazu area of Nada in Hyogo, making the most of the mineral-rich local spring water. Over three centuries later, the brewery continues to pursue innovation while upholding tradition. In 1979, Ozeki started production in Hollister, California, becoming the first Japanese sake brewer to brew sake in the U.S.
CONTENTS OF THE TASTING BOX
Ozeki Nigori Strawberry, 300ml
This newly released product is a cloudy sake that beautifully combines the tropical sweetness and creamy texture of Ozeki Nigori Sake with a light and refreshing strawberry flavour. Made using the best of California-grown rice and strawberries. All natural: Non-GMO, Gluten-free, Sulphite-free, Free of artificial flavours & aromas & colours.
Amanoya Petit Kabukiage Spicy Fried Rice Crackers, 67 g
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A SAKE EXPERIENCE TASTING BOX?
Contents vary by brewery but each box will contain at least one sample of sake, along with information on the brewery and the sample(s). You can find out exactly what’s in each box on the brewery introduction above.
HOW MUCH DOES A SAKE EXPERIENCE TASTING BOX COST AND WHERE CAN I BUY THEM?
The price will vary according to the type of sake in your chosen box. Tasting boxes can be purchased via the link in the brewery information section above.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE ONLINE SESSION?
Each session will take you through the basics of sake, introduce the sake included in your box, then take you on a virtual tour of the brewery that made it. Best of all, you’ll get to share your sake drinking time with other sake lovers!
HOW DO I JOIN AN ONLINE SESSION?
When you buy a tasting box, we’ll ask for your email address. HYPER JAPAN Online will then send you a link to the Zoom session a few days in advance.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SAKE?
Visit the page of our official sponsor, the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association. You’ll find plenty of contents to help you learn the basics of sake.