Sake: chilled or warm?

Mou Kaoru · Nov 10, 2003, 13:23

Konbanwa!

I'm new to drinking sake and I know that some sake taste better chilled (such as premium) and some taste better warm. But ppl say--when it comes to sake, to each his own.
To all you fun loving sake drinkers, I wanted to ask what's your preference?
Arigatou gozaimasu!

neko_girl22 · Nov 10, 2003, 13:36

well I'm definately no expert, but I like my sake ;) Which can be a bit difficult living in shochu country....
I drink it chilled or warm depending on what I'm eating and the season, but maybe there are some rules... I'll be interested to hear

ragedaddy · Nov 10, 2003, 18:59

hmmm, I am no expert on what brands are better, but I prefer atsukan(warmed) nihonshu over hiya(chilled). However, drinking that will get you drunk pretty quickly after putting down a couple of bottles. I am more of a beer man myself, but from time to time I have been known to put down some sake.

**jeisan** · Nov 10, 2003, 20:04

i like sake, though ive only ever had the cold kind whenever i get a bottle from the store it says serve cold on top of it so thats what i do.

kirei_na_me · Nov 10, 2003, 23:48

Neither way, because I don't like sake. I can't tolerate alcohol like I used to. I do like umeshu(plum wine), though. That is very good.

samuraitora · Nov 11, 2003, 01:50

If you can get a nice junmai-ginjo sake...depending on where it is made...it can be good both ways. Plus, it depends on what you are having with it. Sushi, I like it cold or chilled. Tempura or a hot dish...I like it hot or warm. My personal feeling is that it should reflect what your consuming it with.

kov · Nov 11, 2003, 03:44

Premium sakes are dry, and they have complexities that are damaged by heat exposure. They are always to be served cold.

silver angel · Nov 11, 2003, 04:15

I've never tried it! What does it taste like?

neko_girl22 · Nov 11, 2003, 07:58

I have no idea how to explain it, sorry Silver Angel!

I used to love umeshu, but now I find the taste too strong. I like sake, but I feel a bit guilty when I drink good sake because I don't have enough experience to appreciate it. My husband can take a sip and know it's a good brand, but I still have no idea

Now wine, that's another matter.....

kov · Nov 12, 2003, 06:56

Sake I've had varies from slightly sweet to very sweet, at all quality levels. A premium sake can be sweet as long as everything is in balance -- flavors, aromas, acidity, sweetness. You can always taste the rice and a little yeastiness from the fermenting process. Sake always has a nice, velvetty mouthfeel -- one of my favorite things about it is that it always seems thicker in the mouth than it pours (if that makes any sense). The aromas you will find are often gentle fruit aromas (I've smelt a lot with melon, plum, or cherry); grass; yeast; pine; sometimes a little nutty flavors. Some sake (of all quality levels) has distilled spirits added, that's to give it a bit of heat that you'll notice in the back of your throat.

So I'd say drinking sake is as follows:

- Yeasty, fruity smells followed by
- Round, spreading sweetness. Viscous, velvetty mouthfeel. Rice flavor abundant and adicity that tapers, giving way to fruity or spicy esters.
- The alcohol's little heat or roughness when you swallow.
- Lingering aromas and flavors, maybe some tartness or bitterness after it all.

neko_girl22 · Nov 12, 2003, 11:52

Thanks Kov ;) I'll try and analyse the next cup of sake I have but I'm still a beginner. If someone hands me a cup and asks me to tell them what grade it is, I couldn't say

I live in Shochu country so that's what most people drink, but I don't like it at all!!

kov · Nov 12, 2003, 12:08

Well, that was more for Silver Angel's benefit, but hey ...

Shochu's not so bad, it's one of those that you can get away with heating up without losing much. We used to drink it after sledding! Honestly, though, I'm more of a wine guy than a sake guy so my sake taste is a bit weird. For instance, I tend to enjoy junmai-shu more than ginjo-shu. Of course daiginjo is great, but I guess you get what you paid for.

noyhauser · Nov 12, 2003, 12:15

I like sake, but its not my favorite Drink of choice. Its good because I don't get up the next morning hungover like I do with Beers or sugary drinks. I also like it warm, because its very rare that I drink warm alcholic beverages.

My personal favorate is scotches, single Malts. There are some good Japanese ones too like Suntory Hibiki (its actually an 8 year old whiskey but its better than some 12 year old Scotches). My Absolutely favorite drink though is 16 year Lagavuilin. My friends hate it, they always ask me how does the campfire taste (its got a reaaaaaaallly peaty flavor) but its sooo smooth. It also has the ability to eat my wallet.,.. a bottle costs 100$ CND (about 75 USD)... a bit too much but well worth the money

kov · Nov 12, 2003, 12:20

Yeah, Lagavulin is great! In fact, I have a gorgeous bottle staring at me from the shelf that I keep saying I'm going to give to a good friend but I just never get around to it. I'll probably just drink it myself.

nata_no · Nov 30, 2003, 18:45

I prefer sake to be chilled. It tasts better esp in hot weather, if the weather is cold, then warm sake. My japanese friends said that most ppl who drink sake are older generation and can only drink certain portion, else not good for health. I think I prefer whisky still.

billiken · Dec 2, 2003, 06:31

kanpai!

賢しみと　物言ふよりは　酒飲みて　
　　酔ひ泣きするし　まさりたるらし
【意訳】さかしらがって、あれこれ言うよりも、
　　酒を食らって酔い泣きする方が、まだましなのさ。
To keep silent and act wise still not as good as drinking sake, getting drunk, and weeping.

- Otomo no Tabito (665 - 773) -

billiken · Dec 4, 2003, 05:39

Originally posted by billiken
- Otomo no Tabito (665 - 773) -

Oh, I made a slip of the finger.

Tabito died in 731 at the age of 67.

Hidden_Wisdom · Dec 10, 2003, 05:48

I have been wanting to buy and taste some Sake but im not sure if I should.

How strong would you say Skae is compared to american Acohol?

And Do different Brands consist of Different Taste?

kov · Dec 11, 2003, 04:16

About the same as wine -- anywhere from 10-15%.

Hidden_Wisdom · Dec 18, 2003, 09:02

Are ther special cups for holding or drinking Saka?

Porl · Dec 18, 2003, 20:57

im not sure, i've never drank sake. But when you watch the old kung-fu films and stuff, they all drink out of the little half eggshell sized cups. Like a shot glass sort of thing.

I guess they may have changed the 'sake delivery system' since the feudal times though .....

Porl''

jovial_jon · Dec 18, 2003, 22:51

i tried sake for the first time on saturday! - my japanese class had a little party with sushi and stuff...yea, the sake is in little cups like you say

Porl · Dec 18, 2003, 23:31

ah cool! Im thinking of hunting out some sake at the weekend.....got to look through the booze shops.

Porl''

Hidden_Wisdom · Dec 19, 2003, 05:29

Jovial Jon how was the sake did it taste good?

I wonder what flavor it offers

Snowkeeper · Dec 31, 2003, 20:01

I tried Sake at a Chinese Restaurant. Warmed. Yuck. It was bitter.
Then I tried it again, this time at a Japanese restaurant, Warmed, and it was sweeter..quite a bit sweeter. I enjoyed it. Maybe I enjoyed it a bit too much. I now make it a point to treat myself to sake there at that restaurant quite often now! Heeeheee! (Maybe I should ask what brand that is they serve.)

What can I say, I live in Alaska! And its cold here! What a fantastic way to warm up! Goooooood Japanese food and Warm Sake!

Smiles!
Heather

Nov 10, 2003, 13:23	#1
Mou Kaoru Waaa! My dog! Join Date: Nov 6, 2003 Location: I am omnipresent in the Wired. OBEY THY MASTER. Posts: 57	Sake: chilled or warm? Konbanwa! I'm new to drinking sake and I know that some sake taste better chilled (such as premium) and some taste better warm. But ppl say--when it comes to sake, to each his own. To all you fun loving sake drinkers, I wanted to ask what's your preference? Arigatou gozaimasu! __________________ Drink up me hearty, yo ho!

Nov 10, 2003, 20:04	#4
jeisan Kongming Join Date: Feb 24, 2003 Location: san antonio, texas Age: 26 Posts: 2,848	i like sake, though ive only ever had the cold kind whenever i get a bottle from the store it says serve cold on top of it so thats what i do. __________________ Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity. =[Signature Guidelines]==[User Titles]==[Forum Rules]=

Nov 10, 2003, 23:48	#5
kirei_na_me Where I'm Supposed to Be Join Date: Jan 31, 2003 Location: Virginia Age: 33 Posts: 3,922	Neither way, because I don't like sake. I can't tolerate alcohol like I used to. I do like umeshu(plum wine), though. That is very good. __________________ *i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)*

Nov 11, 2003, 01:50	#6
samuraitora Regular Member Join Date: May 29, 2002 Location: Detroit MI Age: 35 Posts: 782	If you can get a nice junmai-ginjo sake...depending on where it is made...it can be good both ways. Plus, it depends on what you are having with it. Sushi, I like it cold or chilled. Tempura or a hot dish...I like it hot or warm. My personal feeling is that it should reflect what your consuming it with. __________________ ja mata samuraitora (^_-)/

Nov 11, 2003, 04:15	#8
silver angel Resident Latina Join Date: Sep 26, 2003 Location: Past the second star to the left and straight on 'til morning Age: 22 Posts: 788	I've never tried it! What does it taste like? __________________ if strawberries were people.... I'd still eat them.

Nov 10, 2003, 13:36	#2
neko_girl22 Regular Member Join Date: May 14, 2003 Posts: 459	well I'm definately no expert, but I like my sake ;) Which can be a bit difficult living in shochu country.... I drink it chilled or warm depending on what I'm eating and the season, but maybe there are some rules... I'll be interested to hear

Nov 10, 2003, 18:59	#3
ragedaddy もうすぐ卒業するんだ！ Join Date: Feb 17, 2003 Location: The Midwest Age: 30 Posts: 161	hmmm, I am no expert on what brands are better, but I prefer atsukan(warmed) nihonshu over hiya(chilled). However, drinking that will get you drunk pretty quickly after putting down a couple of bottles. I am more of a beer man myself, but from time to time I have been known to put down some sake.

Nov 11, 2003, 03:44	#7
kov Regular Member Join Date: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 47	Premium sakes are dry, and they have complexities that are damaged by heat exposure. They are always to be served cold.

Nov 11, 2003, 07:58	#9
neko_girl22 Regular Member Join Date: May 14, 2003 Posts: 459	I have no idea how to explain it, sorry Silver Angel! I used to love umeshu, but now I find the taste too strong. I like sake, but I feel a bit guilty when I drink good sake because I don't have enough experience to appreciate it. My husband can take a sip and know it's a good brand, but I still have no idea Now wine, that's another matter.....

Nov 12, 2003, 06:56	#10
kov Regular Member Join Date: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 47	Sake I've had varies from slightly sweet to very sweet, at all quality levels. A premium sake can be sweet as long as everything is in balance -- flavors, aromas, acidity, sweetness. You can always taste the rice and a little yeastiness from the fermenting process. Sake always has a nice, velvetty mouthfeel -- one of my favorite things about it is that it always seems thicker in the mouth than it pours (if that makes any sense). The aromas you will find are often gentle fruit aromas (I've smelt a lot with melon, plum, or cherry); grass; yeast; pine; sometimes a little nutty flavors. Some sake (of all quality levels) has distilled spirits added, that's to give it a bit of heat that you'll notice in the back of your throat. So I'd say drinking sake is as follows: - Yeasty, fruity smells followed by - Round, spreading sweetness. Viscous, velvetty mouthfeel. Rice flavor abundant and adicity that tapers, giving way to fruity or spicy esters. - The alcohol's little heat or roughness when you swallow. - Lingering aromas and flavors, maybe some tartness or bitterness after it all.

Nov 12, 2003, 11:52	#11
neko_girl22 Regular Member Join Date: May 14, 2003 Posts: 459	Thanks Kov ;) I'll try and analyse the next cup of sake I have but I'm still a beginner. If someone hands me a cup and asks me to tell them what grade it is, I couldn't say I live in Shochu country so that's what most people drink, but I don't like it at all!!

Nov 12, 2003, 12:08	#12
kov Regular Member Join Date: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 47	Well, that was more for Silver Angel's benefit, but hey ... Shochu's not so bad, it's one of those that you can get away with heating up without losing much. We used to drink it after sledding! Honestly, though, I'm more of a wine guy than a sake guy so my sake taste is a bit weird. For instance, I tend to enjoy junmai-shu more than ginjo-shu. Of course daiginjo is great, but I guess you get what you paid for.

Nov 12, 2003, 12:15	#13
noyhauser Regular Member Join Date: Feb 20, 2003 Age: 28 Posts: 361	I like sake, but its not my favorite Drink of choice. Its good because I don't get up the next morning hungover like I do with Beers or sugary drinks. I also like it warm, because its very rare that I drink warm alcholic beverages. My personal favorate is scotches, single Malts. There are some good Japanese ones too like Suntory Hibiki (its actually an 8 year old whiskey but its better than some 12 year old Scotches). My Absolutely favorite drink though is 16 year Lagavuilin. My friends hate it, they always ask me how does the campfire taste (its got a reaaaaaaallly peaty flavor) but its sooo smooth. It also has the ability to eat my wallet.,.. a bottle costs 100$ CND (about 75 USD)... a bit too much but well worth the money

Nov 12, 2003, 12:20	#14
kov Regular Member Join Date: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 47	Yeah, Lagavulin is great! In fact, I have a gorgeous bottle staring at me from the shelf that I keep saying I'm going to give to a good friend but I just never get around to it. I'll probably just drink it myself.

Nov 30, 2003, 18:45	#15
nata_no Regular Member Join Date: Nov 15, 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 29 Posts: 107	I prefer sake to be chilled. It tasts better esp in hot weather, if the weather is cold, then warm sake. My japanese friends said that most ppl who drink sake are older generation and can only drink certain portion, else not good for health. I think I prefer whisky still. __________________ Welcome to my online shop! Kawaii Shop: http://kawaii-shop.blogspot.com

Dec 2, 2003, 06:31	#16
billiken Regular Member Join Date: Nov 16, 2003 Location: Tsutenkaku palace (in Kingdom of Osaka) Posts: 31	kanpai! 賢しみと　物言ふよりは　酒飲みて　　　酔ひ泣きするし　まさりたるらし【意訳】さかしらがって、あれこれ言うよりも、　　酒を食らって酔い泣きする方が、まだましなのさ。 To keep silent and act wise still not as good as drinking sake, getting drunk, and weeping. - Otomo no Tabito (665 - 773) - __________________ I am the 玉将(Gyoku-shou)

Dec 4, 2003, 05:39	#17
billiken Regular Member Join Date: Nov 16, 2003 Location: Tsutenkaku palace (in Kingdom of Osaka) Posts: 31	Originally posted by billiken - Otomo no Tabito (665 - 773) - Oh, I made a slip of the finger. Tabito died in 731 at the age of 67.

Dec 10, 2003, 05:48	#18
Hidden_Wisdom Regular Member Join Date: Dec 8, 2003 Age: 23 Posts: 169	I have been wanting to buy and taste some Sake but im not sure if I should. How strong would you say Skae is compared to american Acohol? And Do different Brands consist of Different Taste?

Dec 11, 2003, 04:16	#19
kov Regular Member Join Date: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 47	About the same as wine -- anywhere from 10-15%.

Dec 18, 2003, 09:02	#20
Hidden_Wisdom Regular Member Join Date: Dec 8, 2003 Age: 23 Posts: 169	Are ther special cups for holding or drinking Saka?

Dec 18, 2003, 20:57	#21
Porl Monkey Shogun Join Date: Nov 19, 2003 Location: England Age: 30 Posts: 268	im not sure, i've never drank sake. But when you watch the old kung-fu films and stuff, they all drink out of the little half eggshell sized cups. Like a shot glass sort of thing. I guess they may have changed the 'sake delivery system' since the feudal times though ..... Porl''

Dec 18, 2003, 22:51	#22
jovial_jon Co-owner: Jovesca Records Join Date: Oct 4, 2003 Location: North West England Age: 24 Posts: 621	i tried sake for the first time on saturday! - my japanese class had a little party with sushi and stuff...yea, the sake is in little cups like you say

Dec 18, 2003, 23:31	#23
Porl Monkey Shogun Join Date: Nov 19, 2003 Location: England Age: 30 Posts: 268	ah cool! Im thinking of hunting out some sake at the weekend.....got to look through the booze shops. Porl''

Dec 19, 2003, 05:29	#24
Hidden_Wisdom Regular Member Join Date: Dec 8, 2003 Age: 23 Posts: 169	Jovial Jon how was the sake did it taste good? I wonder what flavor it offers

Dec 31, 2003, 20:01	#25
Snowkeeper Junior Member Join Date: Aug 28, 2003 Location: Alaska Posts: 8	Sake Yum! I tried Sake at a Chinese Restaurant. Warmed. Yuck. It was bitter. Then I tried it again, this time at a Japanese restaurant, Warmed, and it was sweeter..quite a bit sweeter. I enjoyed it. Maybe I enjoyed it a bit too much. I now make it a point to treat myself to sake there at that restaurant quite often now! Heeeheee! (Maybe I should ask what brand that is they serve.) What can I say, I live in Alaska! And its cold here! What a fantastic way to warm up! Goooooood Japanese food and Warm Sake! Smiles! Heather __________________ "Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best."

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