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Flavors And FragrancesFlavors And Fragrances

The Japan Service Industry Research Bureau specifies four flavor profiles for sake. These profiles are explained in the frame on the left. The table below shows how our sake fits into these flavor profiles, and provides serving and storage tips.

    Junmai Yumedono Nanago Sanka Junmai Arabashiri Yamahai Zukuri Bessen Kinju Karakuchi Ki-ippon Okuden Kanzukuri Hanamaru Yumedono Kaden Tezukuri Arabashiri Namazake Tokusen Karakuchi Gold Ginsen
Flavor Profiles Highly Fragrant                  
Light, Smooth                    
Rich, Earthy                            
Mature                              
Serving Tips

=Best

=Good
On the rocks                          
Chilled
Room temperature                
Warm                
Storage Tips Always refrigerate.                      
Store in a cool,
dark place. Refrigerate after opening.
         

Highly Fragrant

Brilliant and clear character with strong hints of fruits and flowers in the fragrance. Typical of daiginjo sake.

Light, Smooth

Fresh, light fragrance. Refreshing taste and very smooth in the mouth. Typical of ginjo and honjozo sake.

Rich, Earthy

Fragrance suggests fullness and maturity. Flavor is deep with a balance of sweetness, acidity, and a pleasant astringency. Typical of junmai sake.

Mature

Dark, rich fragrance suggestive of sherry. Sweetness offset by a lingering tartness characterizes the flavor. Typical of yamahai and aged sake.

Serving Tips

Fruity, fragrant varieties of sake, such as daiginjo, ginjo, and namazake, should be served chilled to about 10C (50F). Other types of sake can generally be enjoyed either chilled, at room temperature, or warmed.

Storage Tips

Light and high temperatures are sake's arch enemies. Keep pasteurized sake in a cool, dark place until opening, and refrigerate thereafter. Unpasteurized sake, recognizable by the nama character on the label, must always be refrigerated. Otherwise, it will become cloudy and take on an unpleasant sour taste.