Sake World has announced the launch of its online marketplace in Singapore that accepts NFT transactions, making it the first asset market dedicated to sake. 

Among the 400 varieties available, the platform specialises in vintage sake, particularly koshu (aged sake) that has matured for at least one year, though loosely for 3 years as defined by Long Term Matured Sake Research Group. Aged sake remains relatively uncommon, as sake is traditionally crafted for fresh consumption. In the past, unfavourable taxation laws on aged sake pushed breweries’ priority to producing fresh sake, which could be sold quickly to offset production-based taxes. 

In recent years, however, vintage sake has seen a resurgence in popularity. Unlike vintage wine or spirits, vintage sake isn’t intended for long-term cellaring. Breweries release their vintage sakes when they’re at their peak for consumption, removing the guesswork for buyers, a more approachable option for newcomers to the category. As a result, vintage sake remains more of a connoisseur’s delight than an investment commodity. 

While vintage sake shares the same ingredients as fresh sake, its ageing process can vary. It may mature in different vessels under varying ambient temperatures, developing unique umami-rich flavours influenced by its environment. 

Driven by a passion for these rare, limited-edition sakes, Sake World founder Nakagawa Shintoro created the marketplace to make these elusive brews more accessible, with direct purchases from breweries. 

The platform introduces bidding for the vintage sakes ranked by its alcohol volume, minimum price, and other metrics, providing a place for authentic sakes and delivery service to the winning bidders. The platform also facilitates person-to-person marketplace and trading using NFT for traceability and transparency for these high-value rare sakes. 

Beyond being a marketplace, Sake World also shares sake news, event updates and travel tips to connect brewers and enthusiasts worldwide.  

Sake World is part of Leaf Publication, which has published Monthly Magazine Leaf in Kyoto and Shiga since 2000. Expanding into the sake industry, they also launched the Assemblage Club, collaborating with three renowned breweries to create custom blended sakes. Inspired by French wine blending techniques, these blends balance sweet, sour, savoury, and bitter notes, enhancing aroma and complexity. 

The blend of sakes is made up of famous sakes from long-established sake breweries representing Kyoto, led by Master Blender Masuda Tokubei, the third-generation head of Masuda Tokubei Shoten (founded in 1675)  known for "Tsuki no Katsura, together with Kitagawa Honke, which produces "Tomoe", and Matsui Shuzo, producer of "Shinzo”, alongside Assemblage Club’s in-house sommeliers, the club offers custom blending services. Restaurants and establishments can create bespoke sake blends with a minimum order of just 240 bottles, delivered within three months. 

Vintage sakes introduced in the tasting during the launch of Sake World NFT in Singapore. [Photo: Kim Choong]

The Assemblage Club’s flagship blend, Assemblage Club 01 CODE NAME: Taro, won a gold medal at the prestigious Sake Challenge 2023 in Singapore. Its successor, Taro’ (Taro Dash), secured a silver medal at the Milano Sake Challenge 2024 in Milan. 

During the launch at UOHARU (魚治), founder Nakagawa Shintoro hosted a vintage sake tasting, showcasing both Assemblage blends and several rare sakes available on Sake World, including: 

• SUIO (S$1,978): A 1994 vintage blend of Futsuushu (table sake) and Seishu (refined sake) made with Hidaminori rice polished to 70%. Fortified with brewer’s alcohol to 18% ABV, this sake earned top honours in the Japanese Sake category at the 2014 International Wine Challenge selected among 725 entries.  

• CHIGONOIWA Aged Daiginjo Sake ‘Shinsui’ (S$1,143): A rare Daiginjo sake from 1987, crafted with Yamada Nishiki rice polished to 35% and fermented with Kyokai No. 9 yeast. Bottled at 17.5% ABV, it won Gold at the National New Sake Appraisal and isn’t available for general sale. 

• SUWAIZUMI Aged Junmai Sake Tokinotabi Vintage 1989 (S$461): A Junmai sake polished to 60%, made with Japanese rice and bottled at 18% ABV. Aged at room temperature for 20 to 30 years, this sake develops a deep amber hue, a hallmark of exceptionally rare, long-aged sakes.  

• EIKUN Izutsuyaihe 5-Years Aged Sake (S$461): Crafted with 100% Iwai rice and matured for five years in a dedicated refrigerator, this 15% ABV Junmai Daiginjo has an annual production of only 50 bottles. 

Visit Sake World on trading vintage sakes with NFT, and the Assemblage Club for sake customisations. 

- T -