The UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd regularly hold complimentary tastings for both customers and staff from a variety of producers. In addition, they have regular ticketed events that are held in the evenings which are a great opportunity to sample and expand one’s knowledge of wines and spirits.
One such recent event I attended was A Journey Through Sake in their St James’s Spirits Shop, where a group of us got the opportunity to try a superb range of 10 different Sakes from two suppliers: World Sake Imports and Tengu Sake, accompanied by some delicious canapés made by Berry Bros. and Rudd’s Head Chef Stewart Turner.
These evenings are an opportunity to meet with like-minded people who all share a love of spirits or simply want to learn more. And of course, if there are any spirits you particularly like, you can always purchase a bottle or two at the shop with the voucher you are given at the start of the evening.
If you are not overly familiar with sake, it is one of the most food-friendly drinks in the world, being subtle, delicate and delicious. The only potential danger is that you can quite happily drink more than you perhaps should as it does not taste alcoholic unlike wine or whisky for example.
The evening’s journey through sake got under way as soon as we stepped through the door with a welcome and refreshing Yuzu Highball cocktail, consisting of Tsuji Honten, Gozenshu Yuzusha Liqueur and soda water, getting the evening off to the perfect start.
As delicious canapés circulated, we were encouraged to walk around and try the 10 sakes set up in four areas of the shop. Each area had an expert on hand to explain about the different and diverse sakes, some of which came from leading breweries that included Dewazakura, Kenbishi and Tatenokawa and covered a range of styles and regions.
World Sake Imports had five sakes for us to try. The first being Dewazakura Shuzo, Oka, Cherry Bouquet, Ginjo, Yamagata Prefecture, which retails at £14.95 for a 30cl bottle. Originating from Yamagata Prefecture, it has the captivating and alluring characteristics you would find in top-tier sake with a flowery bouquet and touch of pear and melon to it.
Their second sake was Dewazakura Namagenshu, Green Ridge, Yamagata Prefecture, retailing for £37.50. Originating from Yamagata north of Tokyo, this nama or unpasteurised label has a noticeable lift at first sip, followed by a pleasant tartness and brisk finish. Its lively taste pairs well with spicy foods.
The Dewazakura Ichiro, Yamagata Prefecture is a little more expensive at £64.00 and is a high quality award-winning sake known for its delicate floral and fruity aromas, smooth texture and balanced flavour. It pairs well with salads, fish and sashimi.
Kamoizumi, Red Maple, 2-Year Aged Namazume Ginjo Sake, Hiroshima Prefecture retails for £36.50. This 2-year aged Namagenshu is a new sake style that is unpasteurised, undiluted and aged for two years at 5°C. It has a rich, satisfying flavour that improves with age and can be enjoyed neat or over a single ice cube.
The Tamagawa, Time Machine, Heirloom Amber, Kyoto Prefecture costs a very reasonable £26.00. This amber coloured, sweet and rich sake from the Tamagawa Brewery in Kyoto has notes of dried fruit, molasses and Madeira wine and pairs well with desserts, blue cheese and rich foods.
Tengu Sake was also showcasing five different sakes on our journey through sake, starting with Tsuji Honten, Gozenshu, Junmai Bodaimoto Kijoshu, Okayama Prefecture, retailing for £40.50. This particular sake has an earthy, rich and deep flavour of honeyed malt to it as well as some zesty fruit notes.
Tatenokawa, Phoenix, Junmai Daiginjo, Yamagata Prefecture retails for £45.50 and is produced by Tatenokawa Brewery in collaboration with the French indie pop band Phoenix. It was released in 2023 to mark the band’s 2023 Japanese tour and is made with highly polished sake rice, giving it an elegant and refined taste with some savoury umami notes.
The Kenbishi, Kuromatsu, Black Pine, Yamahai Futsu-shu, Hyogo Prefecture costs £34.50 and is a blend of 1-6 year-old aged sakes made from Toku A Yamada Nishiki and Aiyama rice. It is pale yellow in colour and has notes of steamed rice, soy, cooked apples, nuts and caramel. It pairs well with creamy cheeses, game, ham and meat.
Konishi Gold, Hiyashibori, Daiginjo, Konishi Shuzo, Hyogo Prefecture is reasonably priced at £26.50. Originating from the Konishi Shuzo Brewery, this elegant, smooth and light sake has a vibrant freshness to it with fragrant lychee, white lilies, cotton-candy and rice pudding along with a warming ginger.
And lastly, the Noguchi, Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu, Ishikawa Prefecture which retails for £40.95. This is an unpasteurised, undiluted and unfiltered full bodied sake with citrus notes of umami and minerals. It pairs well with blue cheese, pasta dishes and ice cream.
As our journey through sake and evening drew to a close with a few in the group a little the worse for wear and others with bottles of sake under their arms, we bid adieu to the knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff and agreed that it was a thoroughly enjoyable and educational gathering. For more information on other upcoming events, please visit: www.bbr.com.
Berry Bros. & Rudd’s Spirits Shop is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00am to 7:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The shop is closed on Sunday and Mondays as well as Public Holidays.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based travel and motoring journalist and editor, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of Berry Bros. & Rudd
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