A dreamy mixer, pure elixir
November 2024, London – KAY Sake breaks tradition, bringing Japanese sake to the modern aperitif scene. This refined, versatile sake offers bold flavour and a sleek, globally-understood design. Smooth and crafted with precision, KAY Sake is perfect for those looking for an adventurous tipple.
Japanese labelling often poses a challenge with many consumers remaining uncertain about how to select and serve sake. Kay Sake demystifies the beverage with a contemporary bottle design and endlessly versatile serves that blend Eastern tradition and Western style, making it easy for anyone to enjoy.
Born from the majestic landscape of Niigata Japan, KAY Sake celebrates purity, offering consumers an aperitif option that is gluten-free, lower in alcohol and free of sulphites and additives. Created to be served either on the rocks, neat or as a low-ABV alternative ingredient for the most delicious cocktails, KAY Sake presents curious and mindful drinkers a delicate and complex alternative to spirits.
Crafted at the renowned Aumont Brewery, founded in the 1790s, and overseen by expert Master Brewer and pioneer in producing sake in a natural environment, Tanaka-Toji. Each bottle of KAY Sake has been carefully brewed using the finest local rice and the pristine waters of the Kaji River which flows from the majestic Iide mountains.
The region’s clean, fresh air, and the ideal winter conditions of low temperatures and moderate snowfall create the perfect environment for the slow, meticulous sake crafting process.
KAY Sake’s bottle design, curated by renowned designer Marcel Wanders, captures the essence of Niigata. Known for collaborations with Fendi, Alessi, and Baccarat, Wanders drew inspiration from Echigo’s pure waters flowing into the Kaji River, blending Niigata’s beauty and the sake brewing process into a unique design philosophy.
“The air is light, and our spirits are lighter than ever. KAY Sake was born from a dream and a pure interest. It is inspired by Niigata’s terroir, fine qualities and of course the traditions, practices and beautiful surroundings of Aumont Brewery.” – Marcel Wanders, creative vision behind KAY Sake.
KAY Sake sits within the highest quality of sake, the Junmai Daiginjo category, offering an all-natural, velvety smooth palette which has been achieved by polishing away 50% of the rice kernel to reveal the refined flavours. Followed by fragrant crisp aromas, and fruity notes of fresh green apple and pear, finishing with a soft touch of umami.
Made from just three ingredients, water, (malted) rice and yeast, and at 15.8% alcohol content, this Sake is the perfect aperitif for those seeking a health-conscious alcohol option. KAY Sake has also recently been awarded a Gold Medal by the judges of Milano Sake Challenge 2024.
KAY Sake signature serve suggestions:
KAY on the Rocks
• Serve 70ml KAY Sake in a rocks glass with large cubed ice
• Garnish with a sprig of sage (savoury) or a grapefruit zest (fruity)
KAY Japanese Spritzer
• 60ml KAY Sake, 40ml Soda, 20ml prosecco
• Add lots of big ice cubes in a high ball glass, then add the sake and soda
• Top up with the prosecco and give a brief stir
• Garnish with a sprig of sage (savoury) or a grapefruit zest (fruity)
KAY Japanese Martini
• 60ml KAY Sake, 30ml vodka (or gin), 5ml dry vermouth
• Briefly stir the vermouth with big ice cubes
in a mixing glass, then strain off remainder liquid.
• Add the Sake and Vodka and stir for some 15 seconds, pour into a martini glass
• Garnish with 3 blueberries on a wooden stick
Tasting notes:
• Nose: Light creamy tones with hints of soft rice
• Palette: Creamy tones, fragrant crisp aromas and fruity notes of fresh green apple, melon and pear
• Finish: Lingering freshness, with soft touch of umami
KAY Sake is available from Hedonism Wines and Gerry’s Wine & Spirits and priced at £35 | kaysake.com
For more information, please contact: sstanton@anmcomms.com / jboyles@ammcomms.com
KAY Sake
Launched in 2024 and crafted at Aumont Brewery, KAY Sake aims to encourage UK consumers to step outside their comfort zone by offering sake as a distinctive alternative to traditional cocktails. Sake, a traditional staple of Japanese culture, is presented by KAY Sake as a modern alternative to spirits that is lower in alcohol, gluten-free, and free from sulphites and additives. By partnering with renowned product and interior designer Marcel Wanders, KAY Sake appeals to a mindful and curious audience who value unique, thoughtfully crafted beverages. This venture combines the artistry of design with the cultural depth of sake to inspire a new drinking experience.
Aumont Brewery
Founded over 200 years ago, the Aumont Brewery prides itself on owing its quality to local rice, pure water, a suitable climate, and masterly skill. Overseen by overseen by Master Brewer, Tanaka-Toji, who started working at the brewery in 1986, the Aumont Brewery has become known for high-quality sake, blending timeless artistry with modern innovation. The brewery seeks the very best ingredients to create its unique sake including Gohyakumangoku rice which grows best in the Hokuriku region, and soft and pure water from the Kaji river which allows for a slower brewing in order to produce high
quality sake.
Marcel Wanders
Marcel Wanders is a leading product and interior designer, celebrated for his work with prestigious brands such as Fendi, Alessi, Louis Vuitton, and Baccarat. He opened his Amsterdam studio in 2000, first gaining attention in 1996 with the ‘Knotted Chair’. In 2001, with Casper Vissers, Wanders founded the design company Moooi, of which he is co-owner and art director. Throughout his career, he has received various design prizes, including the Rotterdam Design Prize and the Kho Liang Ie Prize. His approach to design is led by poetry, romance, excitement, and surprise. The creative vision behind KAY Sake, he took his inspiration from the pristine waters falling from Echigo’s clouds into the Kaji River, translating the essence of the Sake brewing process and beauty of Niigata into the design philosophy for KAY Sake.
