The Eat-Japan Sake Experience, one of Europe’s biggest public tasting events for sake, where you can try, learn, buy, and vote as you enjoy Japan’s most traditional tipple, returned once again for HYPER JAPAN 2017. This year's event featured 10 breweries, who brought with them 25 different sakes and fruit based liqueurs.
Click here for the full line-up
We’re delighted to announce that around 1000 visitors participated in this event, voting for their favourite sake in three different categories. The results were as follows.
People's Favourite
Your overall favourite sake
Junmai Ginjo Urakasumi Zen
Type of Sake: Junmai ginjo
Rice Variety: Yamadanishiki, Toyonishiki
Rice Polish Ratio / ABV: 50% / 15.0-15.9%
Best Served: Chilled, Room temp., Warm
A nose of wood and summer berries leads into a beautifully balanced, creamily textured body with elegant hints of fruit. The finish is long with subtle melon notes. Enjoy with fresh seafood, steamed fish.
Best Sake for Sake Beginners
The ideal introductory sake
Shirakabegura MIO Sparkling Sake
Type of Sake: Sparkling
Rice Variety: Gohyakumangoku
Rice Polish Ratio / ABV: 60% / 5%
Best Served: Chilled
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.
Best Match with Non-Japanese Food
The sake you would most like to try with another cuisine
Kinmon Azumacho Honjozo
Type of Sake: Honjozo
Rice Variety: Reiho
Rice Polish Ratio / ABV: 68% / 15.5%
Best Served: Chilled, Room temp., Warm
With a subtle nose of dried fig, cloves and cinnamon, this delivers rich umami with banana bread sweetness and a spicy, peppery aftertaste. It would match nicely with grilled mackerel, sardine or miso-marinated salmon.