Sake Diaries: Quirky Tales, Tasting Tips, and Outrageously Honest Reviews

  • Tozai Snow Maiden Sake Review

    Tozai Snow Maiden Sake Review

    Welcome, sake enthusiasts, to the world of Tozai Snow Maiden, a Junmai Nigori sake that’s as enchanting as its namesake. This sake isn’t just a drink; it’s a tale of endurance and beauty, named after Hanako, the legendary Japanese koi fish that lived for 226 years in the icy waters at the foot of Japan’s…

  • Homare Strawberry Nigori Sake Review

    Homare Strawberry Nigori Sake Review

    Welcome, sake enthusiasts! Today, we’re embarking on a delightful journey into the world of Homare Strawberry Nigori, a sake that’s more like a strawberry smoothie with a kick. This sake-based liqueur hails from the Homare Brewing Company in Fukushima prefecture and is the result of five years of trial and error, with over 1,000 flavors…

  • Atago No Matsu Tokubetsu – The Best Honjozo!

    Atago No Matsu Tokubetsu – The Best Honjozo!

    Hello, fellow sake enthusiasts! Today, we’re venturing into the world of my favorite honjozo, the Atago No Matsu Tokubetsu Honjozo. This isn’t just any sake, it’s a tale of discovery, a surprise that left us all in awe at a tasting event at our restaurant. I remember it like it was yesterday. We were hosting…

  • Dassai 45 Nigori – Our Top Choice For Cloudy Sake!

    Dassai 45 Nigori – Our Top Choice For Cloudy Sake!

    Greetings, sake lovers! Today, we’re embarking on a journey into the heart of my all-time favorite sake, the Dassai 45 Nigori. This isn’t just a sake, it’s a daily companion, a faithful friend that’s always there to add a touch of magic to the everyday. Crafted in the scenic Yamaguchi prefecture, this high-end junmai daiginjo…

  • Hakutsuru Junmai Ginjo Sake Review

    Hakutsuru Junmai Ginjo Sake Review

    Hello, dear readers! Buckle up for another journey into the fascinating world of sake! Today, we’re exploring the realm of Hakutsuru Junmai Ginjo, a sake that’s as straightforward as its name. Hakutsuru, known for its popular Sayuri Nigori, offers this gentle, easy-to-drink sake as an entry-level option. It’s a decent starting point for those new…

  • Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori Review

    Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori Review

    Last Updated July 2023 Ever had a drink with personality? One that could wink at you from across the bar, catching your eye with its playful charm? I’m not talking about your cheeky Friday night beer – this is about the radiant Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori, a sake with a life of its own. Hakutsuru Sayuri…

  • Wakatake Onikoroshi Sake: Demon Slayer Junmai vs Ginjo vs Daiginjo Review

    Last Updated on Introducing Wakatake Sake Brewery’s iconic “Onikoroshi” series – three premium sakes named after the legendary demon slayer. While the name evokes images of fierce warriors, these sakes charm with their elegant, balanced flavors. Let’s explore what makes each one special. Best Overall Wakatake “Onikoroshi” Junmai Daiginjo Elegant, balanced, with subtle fruity notes…

  • Suigei Harmony Junmai Daiginjo

    Suigei Harmony Junmai Daiginjo

    Last Updated on Ahoy, sake enthusiasts! If you’re on the hunt for a sake that’s as fun to drink as it is to say, then you’re in for a treat. Meet the Suigei Harmony Junmai Daiginjo, or as we like to call it, the “Drunken Whale” sake. This special concoction is brewed by the Suigei…

  • Suigei Drunken Whale Sake Review

    Suigei Drunken Whale Sake Review

    Last Updated on Welcome, fellow sake aficionados! Picture this: a bustling restaurant in Carmel, California, renowned for its monumental sake collection. Amidst the fast pace and clinking glasses, there emerged a clear favorite among the regulars – the elusive and sought-after Suigei Drunken Whale Sake, so popular that we’d often run out! But what makes…

  • Our Top 5 Choices For The Best Sparkling Sake

    Our Top 5 Choices For The Best Sparkling Sake

    Last Updated on Looking for the best sparkling sake? Look no further! Our top pick is the Hakkaisan “AWA” Clear Sparkling, a delightful alternative to champagne with a subtly sweet flavor and natural notes of fruit. As a seasoned sake advisor with years of experience in the industry, I’ve tasted my fair share of sakes…

  • Mio Sparkling Sake Review

    Mio Sparkling Sake Review

    Last Updated on Welcome, fellow sake enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the effervescent world of Mio Sparkling Sake, a delightful beverage produced by the renowned Takara Shuzo brewing company. Mio Sparkling Sake Review Mio Sparkling Sake stands out with its natural sweetness and absence of any flavoring agents or sweeteners. It’s a pure, unadulterated sake…

  • Fukucho Seaside Sparkling Sake Review

    Fukucho Seaside Sparkling Sake Review

    Last Updated on Welcome, fellow sake enthusiasts! Today, we’re embarking on a delightful journey into the world of Fukucho Seaside Sparkling Sake. Fukucho Seaside Sparkling Sake Review Fukucho Seaside Sparkling Sake is an effervescent delight that has made waves in the sake world. Brewed by the renowned Imada Shuzo brewery in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, this…