Best of 2022

There are so many ways to discover a great sake, especially as our patron. Be it our bi-weekly Sake Onnomi, Sake Discovery Box subscription Warehouse Sale, Sake Matsuri, our staff and customers (new and regulars) have had plenty of chances to be introduced a fair share of great sake, from our long-running bestsellers like the Sakari Junmai Daiginjo and “Lady Killer”, to plethora of great new sake that arrived at our warehouse in 2022, like the “Wolf sake” from Concept Workers, “Metal Can” ginjo from Naturotai. But as we approach the end 2022, it begs the question - which ones stand out above the rest?

Introducing The Art of Sake Best of 2022, a list of our top sakes over the past 12 months, based on total sales number, overall quality, value and staff’s personal favourites. Read on as we unveil this collection of the best sakes of the year in our portfolio!

The categories include

• Top 10 Best Overall
• Top 3 Junmai Daiginjo/Daiginjo
• Top 3 Junmai Ginjo/Ginjo
• Top 3 Junmai/Honjozo
• Top 5 New Arrivals
• Top 5 Staff Pick

Top 3 Junmai Daigino/Daiginjo

1. Sakari Junmai Daiginjo
2. Hourai Junmai Daiginjo Iro Otoko
3. Eikun Junmai Daiginjo Ichigin

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, because the Hourai and Sakari are extremely value for money, at $68 and $55 respectively. The Eikun has always pleased its drinkers, but its popularity saw a spike since we shined a light on it at our April 2022’s Warehouse Sale – a premium-but-also-very-value-for-money sake.

Top 3 Junmai Ginjo/Ginjo

1. Toko Junmai Ginjo Genshu
2. Tsukinokatsura Junmai Ginjo Yanagi
3. Ishizuchi Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki

The Tsukinokatsura Junmai Ginjo Yanagi, along with a few other sakes from the brewery, became our restaurant/warehouse exclusive late last year, but it didn’t stop customers from dropping by our warehouse from all corners of the town to get a bottle (often more) of this remarkably smooth, fragrant and elegant sake. On the other hand, the Toko Junmai Ginjo Genshu’s fanbase has been expanding since it won the Best Value for Money Sake title at the inaugural Singapore Sake Award this year. And at $63 with a 50% polish, the Ishizuchi Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki definitely gives the former a run for its money.

Top 3 Junmai/Honjozo

1. Kamoizumi Junmai Hajime
2. Haginotsuyu Junmai Tankanwataribune Jikagumi Nama Wolf
3. Gozenshu Junmai 1859 Nama Bodaimoto

Balance between umami, richness and complexity is what makes a great Junmai/Honjozo, and the top 3 embodies all that. The Wolf is bestseller in our Concept Workers range by a large margin, and was completely sold out at the November Sake Matsuri - but it’ll be back soon! The Gozenshu 1859 Bodaimoto Nama is only produced once a year, and we ship a huge quantity every time, but it’s never enough. But heng ah, the new stock will arrive in January 2023!

Top 5 New Arrivals

1. Haginotsuyu Junmai Tankanwataribune Jikagumi Nama Wolf
2. RAIFUKU "Fruit-like" Apple Junmai Daiginjo Nama
3. Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu
4. Taiten Shiragiku "Sunrise" Yellow Origarami Nama
5. Echizen Misaki Junmai

Top 5 Staff’s Pick

• Echizen Misaki Junmai (Adrian)
• Eikun Junmia Daiginjo Ichigin (Vincent)
• Tsukinokatsura Junmai Ginjo Yanagi (Shawn)
• Kiminoi Junmai Daiginjo Yamahai (Zen)
• Ishizuchi Junmai Daiginjo Masamune (Amos)

(from left to right)

Nihonsakari Junmai Daiginjo Fuga

Our Admin Manager, Esther, enjoys sake that are elegant, slightly sweet, with minimal alcohol taste, and of limited quantity. And that’s what the Nihonsakari Junmai Daiginjo Fuga is. Created in small batches in a separate smaller facility within the brewery, Nihonsakari creates a world class Junmai Daiginjo using the best Yamadanishiki rice with Miyamizu. Fuga means "grace" in Japanese, and this elegant brew is just that; graceful.

Tsuki No Katsura Junmai Daiginjo Nigori

A surprising choice for a sake beginner, our intern Leroy. The Tsukinokatsura Nigori is light and silky with good complexity. We caught him sneak-pouring this sake during working hours, but it’s all good though, we get it.