Best Sake Under $15

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Initially, this article was going to be called “Best sake under $10.”  As we started to test the full size bottle (750 ml) sake options under $10, we quickly realized that it would be like rating the best of the worst.  And our goal here is to help you find the sake you’ll like, not to get you to throw in the towel the first time you try it! So, here are our review of the best sake options, under $15 (USD).

Most of the sakes under $10 are perfectly fine.  Some people may not mind it at all.  As matter of fact, many restaurants may serve these as ‘house’ sake served hot.  And these are great sake to use for cooking or in cocktail recipes.

But if you are just getting started with trying sake, you have to be selective in choosing your sake.  If you choose poorly, you might end up with a distaste for sake with the assumption that sake simply tastes terrible.  I had the same false impression.  Lower price in liquor typically means lower end of the quality spectrum.  But we found some gems that we were pleasantly surprised how good they were.

Six sakes under $15 we tested

There are more sake options that are available under $15.  But these are the only six we initially tested since they are the ones that I found in the local grocery stores and not in a specialty store.  These six sakes consist of both non-graded and Ginjo-graded sakes.  The full explanation of the various sake grades can be found here, but to simplify the explanation, Ginjo is the second highest grade of sake.

Gekkeikan

By Gekkeikan 750 ml, $7.99
Gekkeikan is the name of a Japanese sake manufacturer.  Founded in 1637, it is one of the oldest companies in the world.  While the company offers may varieties of great sakes, this regular sake named after itself was not our favorite to drink hot or cold.   At $7.99, you think that you’ve got nothing to lose but to try.  But don’t.  Only one friend who tried the sake thought it was “OK,” the rest of us found the flavor to be pretty harsh.   
Recommended serving method:  If this were to be served, this sake should be always be served hot.  It’s a great option to be used in cocktails or for cooking.

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Sho Chiku Bai

By Takara. 750 ml, $7.49  Junmai 
This sake has a pretty traditional taste, with full-bodied dry flavor.  If you don’t like sake with a floral aroma or a sweet taste, this may be a good sake to try.  Lots of flavor and a long finish, but still smooth enough to enjoy.
Recommended serving method:  This should be served hot.  Another good option to be used in cocktails or for cooking.

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Related article: Here are some cooking and cocktail recipes using sake:

• Japanese chicken lettuce wraps
• Yakitori – Japanese grilled chicken skewers
• Salty Shiba Cocktail
• Gyudon – Japanese beef bowl

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Hakutsuru

By Hakutsuru Brewing. 750 ml, $11.99 Junmai
We think this sake has the best value for the price when it comes to the ungraded sake.  If you are looking for a classic sake flavor that doesn’t venture too far into any particular category, this will do it for you.  On the dry side but not too dry, lighter in body than, for example, Sho Chiku Bai, good sake flavor and aroma without seeming to try to do too much.  Good value, reliable, and traditional.
Recommended serving method:  Hot preferred, but could also be enjoyed cold due to the mellow flavor.

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** While the first three listed above are non-graded sake, the next three are what are known as Ginjo sake. **

Sho Chiku Bai Ginjo

By Takara. 300 ml, $7.99 Ginjo
As the Japanese phrase on the right side of this 300 ml bottle translates “Like a flower,” this sake has a very floral note.  The flavor is not very sweet, but the extreme floral scent will almost make it seem so.  The flavor remains pretty light so it’s not overpowering and remains smooth.
Recommended serving method:  Serve chilled.

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Momokawa Diamond

By Momokawa. 750 ml, $14.99, Jumai Ginjo
Momokawa is craft sake brewed in Oregon.  You’ll get some fruity flavors out of this one, not overly sweet fruits but think more along the lines of apples or pears.  And who doesn’t love this pretty blue bottle!?
Recommended serving method:  Serve chilled, as heating would likely wipe out the more complex flavor profile they are going for here.

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Tyku Junmai Ginjo

By Umenoyado Brewery. 330 mil, $14.99, Jumnai Ginjo
This sake is brewed in Nara, Japan and imported and bottled in Rochester, NY.  To rate this here may be a bit of apples-and-oranges comparison. While the smaller bottle was $14.99, the full size 750 ml bottle costs $24.99. The name is slightly misleading. It’s labeled on the front as a “Super Premium Ginjo Junmai” but it’s not a “Daiginjo.”  You do, however, get what you pay for with this premium sake.  This sake was extremely smooth – silky smooth.  If it were any more smooth it would be named Barry White. More of a vanilla flavor that pleasantly sticks with you after you drink it.
Recommended serving method:  Serve chilled. But it was pretty good warm as well.

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Conclusion

So, which brand has the best sake under $15 USD? We loved Hakutsuru as a reliable, go-to sake to serve hot. Make sure you heat it properly. Tyku definitely was our overall favorite with the most smooth finish. It’s great warm or chilled. But Momokawa is another great option for the price for serving chilled.

Did we miss any good inexpensive sake?

Let us know if there are any other brands of sake under $15 that we should review. We expect that there are more sake brands readily available out in the west coast and in the major cities. And we hope that there will be more sake options available across the nation as people become more familiar with sake in general!

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