Sake to me (...sorry, I had to)

December 5, 2006 8:14 AM

I want to get a bottle of sake as a gift, but I am a total sake virgin...

A friend of a friend is helping me out with some business stuff for free, and I want to get him a bottle of something to show my gratitude and say Happy Holidays. My friend found out he likes "dry sake" - whatever that means. Does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably-priced, good bottle of sake? I'm in Los Angeles, which probably helps selection-wise.

My other option is Jack Daniels, but I thought the sake would be more fun.

posted by lovetragedy to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

I don't have a particular brand to recommend, but I highly recommend nigori type of sake (unfiltered, milky, cloudy). Sweeter and tastier and best served chilled.
posted by like_neon at 9:13 AM on December 5, 2006

I don't know much, but I just went to a sake tasting this weekend. I'm pretty sure nigori is exactly the type you *don't* want. That's the sweetest type, which is also the least dry.

This page (for the place I tasted sake at) has the different types of sake I tried, with a number rating for dryness. The Sho Chiku Bai Chokara looks to be the one that is dryest, at +7. Good luck.
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 11:21 AM on December 5, 2006

Just a note: you may have heard that sake is meant to be served hot. This is only true of cheaper sakes; really good sake is best chilled.
posted by koeselitz at 12:01 PM on December 5, 2006

call True Sake in San Francisco. It's the first sake store in the US. Beau (the owner) is extremely helpful and knowledgable. They probably ship, too.
posted by Señor Pantalones at 1:37 PM on December 5, 2006

You might look for Bek Se Ju a Korean sake that literally means "100-year wine." It's not actually 100 years old, but it's a good gift because its name means you're wishing the recipient will live to be 100. (Often given on birthdays, but holidays should be fine too.)

Their U.S. distribution offices are in L.A., so you shouldn't have too hard a time finding some at a Korean store.
posted by brina at 2:38 PM on December 5, 2006

You might look for Bek Se Ju, a Korean sake that literally means "100-year wine." It's not actually 100 years old, but it's a good gift because its name means you're wishing the recipient will live to be 100. (Often given on birthdays, but holidays should be fine too.)

Their U.S. distribution offices are in L.A., so you shouldn't have too hard a time finding some at a Korean store.
posted by brina at 2:38 PM on December 5, 2006

oops. sorry for the double. must have hit the button twice.
posted by brina at 2:39 PM on December 5, 2006

Thanks for the input! These links all look really helpful.
posted by lovetragedy at 9:47 PM on December 5, 2006