Japanese sake and whisky, explained from Japan.
Most English-language guides to sake and Japanese whisky are copied from each other and years out of date. We check the Japanese sources — brewery listings, label rules, and what the shops actually have in stock — and put a “last verified” date on everything.
Palate Project (formerly Tippsy Sake): what actually changed in 2026
Tippsy Sake became Palate Project in 2026 and cancelled its old Sake Club. Almost every English guide still describes the old company. Here is what is real now.
Junmai, ginjo, daiginjo: what sake grades actually mean
The eight legal sake designations, what the polishing percentage really tells you, why added alcohol is not cheating, and how to read a Japanese label in about a minute.
Is your Japanese whisky actually Japanese? How to check before you spend $200
For years, bottles made largely from imported Scotch could be sold as Japanese whisky. The 2021 standard fixed that — partly. Here is exactly how to tell what you are buying.