From Akita, nestled in the steep high mountains in the north of Japan’s Honshū island to Kumamoto the ‘southern belle’ of Japan’s Kyūshū island, Black Market Sake has sourced rare and unique Sake from Kura [breweries] and is now offering access to these in Australia.  The Kura we work with offer some of the most diverse and captivating Sake being produced in Japan today, and they all have the desire to make artisanal Sake that is influenced by the people crafting it combined with pure ingredients.

The Sake in our collection are all very distinct, and have been selected for their unique character.  The only common ground is that they are all Junmai or ‘Pure Rice Sake’, made without added ethyl alcohol or other additions, these unique small production Sakes rely on quality rice, local water and the technique and skill of the Tōji [Master Brewer]. 

Our aim with Black Market Sake is to offer the most extensive and varied flavour profiles that you can experience in Sake.  From Sake that is Daiginjō [where the rice is polished down to 50% or less of its original size] to Genmai-zake [Brown Rice Sake - where the rice husk has just been split rather than polished] and a wide variety of polishing rates in between.  Many  believe that the higher the polishing rate the better the quality of the Sake, but for us this is not what is most important.  Different polishing rates achieve different flavour profiles, so we believe all Sake should be considered on their taste rather than their polishing rate.  The Genmai-zake, along with many of our other lightly polished Sake, are amazing examples of unique tastes which would not be found from more polished rice.

Our portfolio is also about challenging common beliefs, not just about rice polishing, but also about areas such as pasteurisation and ageing of Sake.  Half of our portfolio is Nama-zake [unpasteurised Sake] which has rarely been seen outside of Japan and these Sake offer fresh, lively flavours that become rich and ripe with age.  We have also been fortunate to find some Kura with treasure troves of Koshu [aged Sake].  These mature Sake have been a rarity, and so it is a pleasure to be able to offer this style, including some that have been aged for more than 30 years.

Sake can range from fresh and fruity flavours, to earthy and complex, and then surprise you with chocolate, burnt caramel and sesame.  We are amazed by the different flavours and styles you can experience in Sake and we hope you enjoy the journey as much as we do.......

Linda Wiss & Matt Young

Black Market Sake - Sydney, Australia

Contact us at: info@blackmarketsake.com