Sake, where to begin?

Doctor McNinja

Doctor McNinja

Doctor McNinja

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I've just watched a rather interesting programme about the production of Sake. I'd very much like to try some but before I do, I'd like to know if there's anything I should be aware of.

Could someone please advise me of a good Sake to start with (that's not too expensive)? I plan on trying it at various temperatures so I'd also like some advice regarding the best method of heating the Sake.
 
After watching so much anime i would like to try sake as well but i hear its a very aqquired taste. I get the impression it tastes of rice due to it being made with rice so dunno if that sounds appealing or not i mean i like currys but i dont think i would like a rice tasting drink tbh.

Still if i ever find a japanese place and pop in i would probably try some if its a reasonable price. I have seen some in asda the last year or so but its a bit pricy and duno which would be worth trying to be honest or how best to drink them ones. As you say some can be diff temps like warm, cold, hot.
 
Obviously not the best reference point but I've had Sake (or their version) in Wagamama. Whatever they serve isn't unpleasant but I found it rather bland. I've had it hot and cold there.
 
Is Sake as vicious as the claim? I know someone who drinks, well to put it politely a good amount of Russian vodka and claims after 4 Sake's their best moves are cutting the dance floor.
 
IRLeetly said:
Is Sake as vicious as the claim? I know someone who drinks, well to put it politely a good amount of Russian vodka and claims after 4 Sake's their best moves are cutting the dance floor.
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No. But like any fortified wine I assume you can get different strengths.
 
Yes you can. It can be had warm or cold, generally the worse stuff is served warm and better quality can be had either way. I'm not a conniseur(sp) but sampled a fair amount in Japan :p Find stuff from Takayama though, that's where the best stuff comes from

- GP
 
Be aware if you've never had it before it will go straight to your head!

Tesco used to do a brand called Doragon (not sure if they still do). It was around £9 for a bottle and will give you an idea. Sake is one of those things which is infinitely better when it's done right (read expensive). That said, I think all sake, regardless of price, has a similar taste. If you can find some cheaper stuff itll give you an idea if the sweetness and "head-rushy-ness" of it is for you without having to splash out on something very expensive. This is of course assuming you're in England. If you're coming to Japan there's as many brands to choose from as grape wines!


Personally, I love it!
 
I picked up a bottle of Sawanotsuru Deluxe Sake from Waitrose for £9.??. It tastes how I thought it would (like a fairly, for lack of a better word, bland sherry but made from rice). It's probably not that good but I'm enjoying it... it's a nice change of pace from punchy Islay single malts. I would like to get a decent bottle at some point.
 
IRLeetly said:
Is Sake as vicious as the claim? I know someone who drinks, well to put it politely a good amount of Russian vodka and claims after 4 Sake's their best moves are cutting the dance floor.
Click to expand...

Sake isn't supposed to be particularly strong. It's a fortified wine. It's to drink for taste, not to get hammered.
 
I drink Sho Chiku Bai Extra Dry regularly. It's very inexpensive (at least here in the USA) and is made with Californian rice. I love it...btw I'm 1/4 japanese and have been drinking sake and eating sushi since I was old enough to talk!

I drink it chilled in the spring/summer and warm in the winter
 
Van Hellseek said:
Sake isn't supposed to be particularly strong. It's a fortified wine. It's to drink for taste, not to get hammered.
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It works pretty well for getting hammered :p It's 14-17%

Anyway here's my bottle that I bought today from my local supermarket for $7.99

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It might not be very alcoholic but it does seem to go to my head faster and stronger than other drinks. Maybe it's psychological but it's happened often enough ;)
 
http://www.waitrosewine.com/230220800/Product.aspx

Bought a bottle of this today for £7.99 at the indoor market where i get the shin noodles for 59p. Not bad for price if i compare to the waitrose site.

Any idea if its considered bad or good or average sake and how best to enjoy it? I have some shot glasses which i think is almost like what they serve sake in so will use those. Also what kinda meals is sake best enjoy'd with?

Edit - ah Doctor McNinja I just noticed you had some too. Cool.
 
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Ok tried a little bit, its nice its not got any sort of spirit taste it doesnt taste like white wine it tastes nice but plain if you can see what i mean lol. It is very very smooth tho.

Tried to warm a bit up in the microwave and it exploded :D Duno how like but it went BOOM and i had half a shot glass instead of 90% full one after a min on medium heat. :p Still was nice warm tho had to wait for it to cool a little. Bout 20 secs for my next try seemed to work to warm it without it going boom :D

Think i like it warm tbh the most than room temp. I guess it wasnt weird afterall that they drink it warm as when i heard they drank it warm i was like huh but it does taste nicer or well a bit diff which makes it nicer.

Had around about 2 shot glasses full and i didnt feel anything tbh so it wasnt super powerful for a first time sake drink so i am not sure about the claims that the first time u try sake it blows ur socks of with a little of it. Which was a shame tbh i wouldnt have minded getting a bit tipsy from a few drinks of it. Would have helped my saw jaw from dentist today.
 
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Well Skeeter the traditional way of warming sake is in a ceramic flask over a small charcoal brazier similiar to those used for tea ceremonies. I would imagine that using a bowl of boiling water to warm the bottle or other vessel then decanting into your glasses would also have the advantage of keeping it warm.
 
Yeah but microwave is quicker :p But if i was to do it proper then id have probably filled a bowl with hot water from kettle and put a cup in or somit with a bit of sake in it to warm it up for 5 mins first.

Edit - Also i drank a bit more on the night, about half the bottles gone with doing shot glasses of the stuff while watching anime :D, felt nice but didnt get wrecked or anything. I was a bit disappointed like i said before that it doesnt hit you hard for the first time sake drinker. :(
 
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