DETAILS

The Art of Sake Discovery Box is a fun way to uncover unique and quality sake bottles exclusively imported from Japan right to your doorstep!

How does it work?

1) This is a Recurring 3 months Discovery Box where you will receive a different discovery box every Second Friday of every month.

2) You will receive 2 bottles specially picked out by our team:

x01 Premium Daiginjo /Junmai Daiginjo &
x01 Premium Sake (Junmai grade and up)

3) The cut-off date for that month’s sake is on the 10th.

4) Any orders after the cut off date will start next month.

-> E.g. Any orders placed after 10th Feb will be considered as purchase for March, April & May’s Discovery Box.

5) The Billing Cycle is every 3 months on the 1st.

6a) Billing Scenario A: Subscribe on the 27th August = Receive September, October & November Box. Next billing is 1st December= Receive December, November & January Box.

6b) Billing Scenario B: Subscribe on 5th September (before cut-off) = Receive September, October & November Box. Next billing is 1st December= Receive December, January & February Box.

7) If there is cancellation within the 3 months, no refund will be given. We will still send the remaining boxes until your subscription ends.

-> E.g. Ordered on 27th August = Receives September Box. Cancel in October = We will still send for October & November.

8) Get our 3 months discovery box at $378 and save $22/month (U.P. $444)!

9) You can cancel your subscription anytime from your account. The promotional price will be valid till the end of your subscription. Any new subscriptions made thereafter will be subjected to the price stated on our website.

10) Please also read our shipping information on discovery boxes here >>> https://theartofsake.com/pages/shipping-information

Important Notice: We have updated our shipment date to the 2nd Friday of every month.

Monthly Discovery Box Preview

October 2022

#1 Senjo Junmai Daiginjo Prototype: Named after the brewery's belief in continuous experimentation and innovation. Fresh fruits and floral aroma, with a combination of sound acidity and sweetness. Pairs well with deep-fried fish with sweet and sour sauce and barbecue chicken wings.

#2 Lagoon Junmai: Niigata's representative Koshi-hikari locally grown rice under special cultivation. The chewy nature of the rice makes it difficult to make koji. The sake had little flavour just after pasteurization, but as time passed, it became fuller and more Umami. The sake has a crisp appearance with a savoury tone characteristic of kasumi (Hazy)-Sake.

September 2022

#1 Nito Junmai Daiginjo Omachi 33: Refined and delicate flavour. Soft, and the balance of all aspects of sake such as aroma, sweetness, acidity, and aftertaste is excellent.

#2 Nito Junmai Banzai 70: Pronounced sweet and tart flavours. It is a sake that you can enjoy until the end with a firm aftertaste.

June 2022

#1 Sankan Junmai Daiginjo Asahi: A complex, multi-layered sake with aromas of cotton candy and sweet bread. An off-dry palate with minerality and astringency that makes the sake a great companion grilled seafood. The flavours changes as the sake rests in the glass or bottle.

#2 Sankan Junmai Daiginjo Omachi: A sake of great refinement that seduces by its structure! On the nose it is discreet, with notes of citrus zest, whipped cream, mint, anise and white pepper. On the palate it gives off a refreshing astringency with notes of fruits and vegetables.

May 2022
🍃 Sake #1: Hourai Junmai Ginjo Hatsugumi - This is a special bottling made to celebrate the 50th year of the brew master brewing sake. It is unpasteurised in tank before bottling to allowing the sake to develop complex flavours. Aroma of broth, herbs and winter melon, palate of rock melon and creamy richness. Reminds you of a walk into a field after a rain.

🙇🏻‍♂️ Sake #2: Kaba Sira Junmai Daiginjo Homare - Sira translate to “honour”. This sake won gold in 2020’s Kura Master and was award 90 points by world-famous wine critic Robert Parker. Honour of Hida indeed.

April 2022
Manotsuru Junmai Daiginjo Gakkokura
Gakkogura is Obata Shuzo's 2nd brewery which used to be elementary school with the view of the most beautiful sunset but was closed in 2010. The brewery brews sake in summer with the winter condition by using local rice and sustainable energy. Gentle sweetness and floral aroma, combined with a refreshing acidity, makes this sake very easy to drink.

Ishizuchi Junmai Ginjo Princess Michiko
The name "Princess Michiko" in this sake is full of meaning. It is the name of the rose presented to the then Heisei Crown Princess Michiko (Heisei Empress, now Empress of Japan) by the United Kingdom in 1966.

In the last year of Heisei Era (2019), Tokyo Agricultural University used the isolated flower yeast of the Princess Michiko Rose to brew this commemorative sake in honour of the memories brought by the Heisei Era to Japan.

March 2022

Dewazakura Daiginjo "Toshusai Sharaku"
Love Japanese art and culture? In March, we bring you a souvenir from Japan! This sake was made to commemorate the opening of Dewazakura Museum of Arts and in collaboration with Tokyo Fuji Museum! The label features the painting by Tōshūsai Sharaku, depicting the famous Kabuki Actor, Ichikawa Ebizo IV in the role of Takemura Sadanoshin.

Echizen Misaki Junmai
Experience the unique brewing style of this sake, lightly aged intentionally in a room temperature tank for half a year, before pasteurising! You can feel the "ripening" and richness that gradually spreads on your palate, leaving a firm finish at the end. In Japan, it is served with Echizen Crab as a kanzake (warm sake) as the rounded acidity and umami envelops it.

February 2022

⛄ Sake #1 Keigetsu Junmai Daiginjo Gin No Yume
Crystal-like brilliance and transparency, this sake stimulates various parts of the taste buds all at once! Rich, umami with a viscous spread of sweetness and slight bitterness. This Junmai Daiginjo is made by polishing 40% of "Gin no Yume", a sake from the Reihoku region of Kochi prefecture. The aroma rises over time, making it a very enjoyable drink to have!

⛄ Sake #2 Toko Seasonal Junmai Ginjo Shinshu
Try Toko's newest-released Winter sake from 18th November 2021! This shinshu has a deep, crisp and rich flavour. It is full of umami and lively like freshly pressed sake.

January 2022
🐯 Sake #1 - IMAYOTSUKASA Junmai Daiginjo 2022 Tiger
The appearance of the tiger, which concentrates on one prey and tries to move, is a wish that what had been stagnant until now will move and it will be a fruitful year!

🐯 Sake #2 - AKITORA Junmai Ginjo Tosanishiki
This brewery is located in Aki City, Kochi Prefecture. A relatively small brewery, they bring a playful and adventurous spirit to their craft. Like a tiger, ‘The Tiger of Aki’ is agile and voluptuous at the same time thanks to the soft, almost glyceric notes, the freshness, the savouriness and umami. Very balanced sake.

December 2021
Dewazakura Junmai Daiginjo Yukiwakamaru
Introduced in 2018 as the younger brother of Tsuyahime, it is a premium eating rice that is also suitable for sake-making. It is characterised by sturdy grains that translate into good structure in sake.

Senjo Junmai Daiginjo Full Moon
Made using a new strain of sakamai, Sankeinishiki. It is very clean and balanced. Gentle, mellow texture. Mild and smooth taste. Natural and elegant aroma. It shows a full structure in the middle, with hints of apple and earthiness.

November 2021
Manotsuru Junmai Daiginjo "Ryu No Megumi”
"Ryu No Megumi”, meaning ‘Dragon Terrace’, is a seasonal sake is made by Koshi-hikari harvested in the famous rice terrace. Brewed with pure water at the foot of natural filtration from the nearby mountain ranges, it has a soft orange fragrance with gentle sweetness.

Toko Gentei Junmai Ginjo Hiyaoroshi
Pressed in spring and aged over summer, this autumn-only sake has all the tasting notes that makes it a perfect in-meal accompaniment to autumn foods. Aromas of apple and banana with note of steamed rice and chestnut.

October 2021
Manotsuru Junmai Daiginjo "Autumn: Under the Moonlight”
A Junmai Daiginjo with just the right amount of flavours to complement the delicacies of autumn. This bottle features the full moon as seen from the Iwakubi terraced rice fields of Sado, which in the dark reveals a rabbit basking in the moonlight.

Sanzen Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki
Feel the autumn breeze with a chilled glass of this Junmai Ginjo, characterized by a mild taste that is sometimes referred to as a “ginjo flavour” - fitting for serene autumn days.

September 2021
𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗶 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗮𝗶 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗻
Using top grade Yamadanishiki from Hyogo Prefecture, this Nenrin is a premium flagship sake characterized by its soft taste and dignified aroma of lychee, guava and mango.

𝗗𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗮𝗶 𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗼 "𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗼" 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝘂
“Wanko” means Dog in Japanese, and its cute puppy label is a hit among dog lovers. Aged at -5 ℃ in Dewazakura’s cold warehouse for over 1 year, this sake is a perfect pairing with strong flavoured raw seafoods like oyster and sea urchin.

August 2021
Manotsuru Junmai Daiginjo "Summer: Look Up!"

We are now in the 3rd installment of the "Same Sky" Series, "Look Up!". Like stars in the jet-black night sky, enjoy the deep flavor, sweetness, and gorgeous aroma of this Junmai Daiginjo from Manotsuru. The bottle features the Milky Way when looking up from the Sado gold mine and the glow in the dark label reviews a pair of star-crossed lovers reuniting under the starry night. This would make the most meaningful and sentimental gift to a lover or a good friend.

"Whenever you miss me, look up. Wherever I may be, I will always be with you under the same sky."

Ishizushi Ginjo Natsugin

Natsu means summer and this Ginjo sake is the perfect beverage to unwind in Summer. The Natsugin achieved such high quality by using (1) Matsuyama Mitsui, a type of sake rice exclusively grown in Ehime Prefecture and blended with Yamadanishiki. (2) the water from the tallest Ishizuchi mountains of the Shikoku region, combined with (3) labour intensive slow-pressed with the old-style mashing equipment (funashibori type sake). It has a wonderful note of milk chocolate and apple, a smooth and crisp texture and finishes very clean, sharp and dry.

July 2021

Echizen Junmai Daiginjo Sakahomare
Let's travel to Fukui Prefecture, where 17 brewers celebrates the creation of "Sakahomare" , a new Sake-specific rice strain by simultaneously brewing sake with this rice in 2019. Interestingly, Sakahomare rice would be a perfect follow up from June's discovery box, as it is a cross breed between last month's "Koshi No Shizuku" and Yamadanishiki. Since the first character of Fukui Prefecture is "luck/prosperity", it would be a great gift option for new beginnings!

Dewazakura OKA Ginjo Yamadanishiki
Before the 1980s, "Ginjo" grade was virtually unknown until "Oka Ginjo" made a breakthrough in the mainstream market. The Oka Ginjo was so well-received that it triggered a "Ginjo boom" in the sake industry. It's not too long ago, but it still marks a time in the Sake History!

June 2021
Hourai Junmai Daiginjo "Koshi No Shizuku"
Koshi No Shizuku is a rare rice created in 2003. It is a crossbreed between a Hyogo Kita Nishiki and Miyama Nishiki rice type. Hourai has yet again opened a new door of flavours with this sake by combining Koshi No shizuku with a yeast with calm aroma and Iwashimizu (water). Result is a smooth and refreshing sake that resembles the cold air of the early morning with a deep aftertaste.

Gozenshu Tougai Omachi 50 Nama
If you define sake purely by its grade, you might be missing out! Gozenshu took a courageous plunge to use an off-specification rice, Tougai Omachi. By right, it should have been a Daiginjo grade since the rice is polished to 50%. However, Japan cannot put the premium label on sake that has been made from ungraded rice. Hence, this sake is "gradeless". Based on theartofsake.com's philosophy, we think this sake is still considered premium but we will leave it up to you to decide for yourself! We do encourage you to try this as part of your Sake Discovery and experience a flavour that cannot be expressed by a mere grade.

May 2021
Eikun Junmai Daiginjo Izutsuya Ihei
This Junmai Daiginjo is one of the most popular sake in the brewing company Saito Shuzo with "Izutsuya Ihei" being an inherited name in the Saito family for many generations. This ultra premium sake is made from Kyoto's festive rice, Iwai, characterized by its rounded and luscious taste accompanied by a subtle aroma. This results in incredibly smooth and soft texture with a fruity rich fragrance. Especially recommended to drink in a cool moderate temperature brings out the rounded and balanced taste. Good with traditional Japanese cuisine.

Hourai Kuramoto Hidden Spring

This is the brewery's Easter egg, spring extra item, hidden collection! Whichever you call it - it is a winning sake that has bagged Triple Gold Awards. It is a Tokubetsu Honjozo made with Hidahomare rice, a seasonal item only available in Spring. It has a firm aroma with a clear, mellow and serene taste.

April 2021
Manotsuru Daiginjo Genshu "Spring: The Door of Hope"
Second in line of the "Same Sky" Series, is "The Door of Hope", featuring a row of cherry blossom trees, the spring scenery that the warm sun rises from the mountains, symbolising that "the sun also rises where you will find love and hope”. This would make the most perfect gift to a lover or a good friend you have well wishes for!

Toko Junmai Hanami
Hanami is the practice of viewing cherry blossoms when they are in full bloom. This fruity, rich seasonal sake is perfect for the spring blooming time. Its fragrant sweetness harmonizes gently with springtime food.

March 2021
Toko Junmai Daiginjo Hidarikiki
Accompanying the softnessof the famous dewasansan rice is the aroma of tropical fruits and a light and fresh taste on the pallet. “Hidari-kiki” (a left-handed person) is slang from the Edo period which means “drinker”. The name comes from the fact that the tokkuri would be held in the right hand while the cup would be held in the left.

Manotsuru Junmai Ginjo "Winter: Beyond the Snow Sky"
In 2020, when Corona covered the world, Obata Sake Brewery asked “What is the original role of sake?” While the movement and contact of people was restricted, Manotsuru believed that sake has the power to “connect people”. They want to send the world a message that even if we are far apart, our hearts will always be close together when we tilt the cup. This is one of the four bottles in the "Same Sky" series, plus the bottle glows in the dark!

February 2021
Manotsuru Ganjitsu Hatsushibori Daiginjo Namazake
This limited edition Daiginjo was pressed and bottled on 2021 New Year's Day. It is fresh, rich and aromatic with pear flavor. This is the best sake to wish the good of the year!

Toko Junmai
This Gold medalist of Fine SAKE award, Japan 2015 has a soft mild taste so calm and warm that you always want to come back for more! Intense when cold and gentle when hot – this sake has various sides.

January 2021
Nadagiku Junmai Daiginjo Judo
Special Cuvee to commemorate their ancestor, MIkinosuke Kawaishi, a Judoka who largely contributed to the development of Judo around the world, especially in Europe. Made with Yumenishiki, this sake is Intense, Rich & Impactful. It won a gold medal at the 2020 Kuramaster Sake Competition.

Hideyoshi Junmai Ginjo Shosei
Light & Smooth Junmai Ginjo. Polished to 50%, so technically also can be considered a Junmai Daiginjo. This is one of the first Ginjo-style sakes ever made! Won the Junmai Ginjo Trophy from the International Sake Challenge 2020.

December 2020
Keigetsu Junmai Daiginjo Sake Nature 2019
Hourai Junmai Daiginjo Gokuiden

November 2020
Keiryu Daiginjo
Yamakawamitsuo 2020 Aki

October 2020
Manotsuru Junmai Daiginjo Sado Yamadanishiki
Keiryu Junmai Ginjo

September 2020
Four Fox Junmai Daiginjo
Dewazakura Tokubetsu Junmai Amabie

August 2020
Echizen Misaki Daiginjo "Gin no Shizuku"
Toko Cho Karakuchi Junmai Ginjo

July 2020
Eikun Junmai Daiginjo Ichigin
Kawatsuru Junmai Ginjo Olive Yeast

June 2020
Senkin Junmai Daiginjo Issei
W Yamadanishiki Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu