Japan’s fermented rice-based beverage has always been regarded as their national drink, it is called “Nihonshu” (Japanese alcohol/Sake) in Japan. With the global spread of Japanese cuisine, Nihonshu has also become really popular around the world. This article introduces some of the tasty Nihonshu, hope it will help you diversify your choices.
Dassai (獺祭)
Dassai, this Nihonshu brand which originally from Yamaguchi is always ranking at the top in Japan. It is famous for its softness and slight fruitiness, some people said it’s ‘orange peel and jasmine aroma with tart orange flavor’. Its alcohol degree is about 16 percent. Best paired with light-flavored dishes, if you’re new to sake, Dassai’s fresh aromas and flavors will gently introduce you to the world of Nihonshu.
Gekkeikan (月桂冠)
Gekkeikan is a popular and widely available brand which is also quite budget-friendly. If you are searching for an accessible, well-balanced taste as a start, this might be your answer. Gekkeikan has a better taste for serving warmed, such as when having it with sushi. By the way, its Japanese brewery is one of the oldest companies in the world, and it does even have a subsidiary in America nowadays.
Juyondai (十四代)
Juyondai can be considered as a rare item since it’s really hard to find it in the restaurant, it is notoriously difficult to get even if you are in Japan. But don’t get misunderstood, it is really famous, just doesn’t have an official website (but you can find them at our site). Back to the 80s last century, Japanese preferred dry taste, But Juyondai published their outstanding fruity and sweet Nihonshu which was different from the others in the market, which earned them a big hit.
Kubota (久保田)
Kubota series has a thick, creamy texture, and several layers of complex flavor and taste, and normally enjoyed chilled, for dry taste preferred beginners, this is a signature dry sake that easy to drink. Its brewery has three rice varieties which are used to make different brands of sake, whereas Kubota is the most famous from all of them.
Dewazakura (出羽桜)
Dewazakura has the pleasant smell of a fresh and succulent fruit. Its well-balanced dryness and mild sweetness give it a fresh taste, which is an ideal Nihonshu for female drinkers. It fills the mouth with a richly textured and concentrated. It’s another one which you want to store it in your fridge and pair it with sashimi or sushi.
* Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold to persons under the age of 20.
After Word
Wine and Nihonshu are both fermented drink so there is no much difference except for their ingredients. Wine is made from grapes, and Nihonshu is made from rice. With over 30,000 varieties of Nihonshu, it’s not an easy work to find out which ones are the best among them all for us, so now it’s your turn to make a decision. Enjoy the sake that fits your taste!
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