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Sake Confidential: A Beyond-the-Basics Guide to Understanding, Tasting, Selection, and Enjoyment

John Gauntner (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 79 ratings · 11 reviews

With today’s sake drinkers increasingly informed and adventurous, now is the time for a truly expert guide to take you deeper into appreciation of this complex but delightful Japanese beverage, brewed from rice and enjoyed both warm or chilled.

And what better mentor than John Gauntner, the “Sake Guy” and the world’s leading non-Japanese sake educator and evangelist? Here i ...more

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Paperback, 184 pages

Published June 10th 2014 by Stone Bridge Press (first published May 10th 2014)

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Jul 21, 2014 Richard Auffrey rated it it was amazing

There are approximately a dozen or so books, available in English, about Sake and many of them are very similar. They provide basic information about Sake and also give some Sake recommendations. Sake articles in magazines are uncommon, and most provide only basic knowledge about Sake, introductory primers to educate consumers. It is more difficult to find advanced information about Sake, information that goes beyond the basics and generalities. Fortunately, this new book addresses this omission There are approximately a dozen or so books, available in English, about Sake and many of them are very similar. They provide basic information about Sake and also give some Sake recommendations. Sake articles in magazines are uncommon, and most provide only basic knowledge about Sake, introductory primers to educate consumers. It is more difficult to find advanced information about Sake, information that goes beyond the basics and generalities. Fortunately, this new book addresses this omission.

If you have any interest in Sake, then you should check out Sake Confidential. The book is divided into three parts: Sake Secrets, How The Industry Really Works, and The Brewer's Art Revealed. The book begins with a 14 page Introduction, which is a basic education about Sake, relying on numerous generalities to get across the message. After the Introduction, you will find over 24 chapters, covering a broad array of more advanced Sake topics.

Though this book deals with more advanced Sake topics, it is well written in an easily understood manner so that it will appeal to readers of any knowledge level. You do not even need to possess a foundation in Sake to appreciate this book as the Introduction provides you all you need to progress to the more advanced topics. I previously attended John's Sake Professional Course and found him to be an excellent and engaging instructor, and that comes out in this new book. John shares his extensive knowledge of Sake, going beyond the generalities many know and breaking down some of the myths and misconceptions about Sake.

In the first section, Sake Secrets, John goes into greater detail about Sake types and styles such as Junmai, Namazake, Ginjo, Kimoto, and Tokubetsu. Instead of providing one line definitions of these terms, he devotes a few pages to each term, explaining in detail some of their nuances. He then does the same for Sake ingredients such as water and yeast, as well as touching on warmed Sake and regionality. Within each fascinating chapter, you may find something about the history of the topic, as well as insider information about the current status of the Sake industry. In addition, in each chapter, John recommends a specific Sake which he feels well illustrates the topic of that chapter. These Sakes should mostly be available in the U.S.

In the next section, How The Industry Really Works, John discusses some specifics about the Sake industry, such as the role of women in breweries, Sake pricing, rice milling and Sake awards. These are generally issues which are rarely written about, so this is an especially compelling section. You'll learn compelling facts such as less than half the Sake breweries are reasonably profitable, and almost 90% of those breweries are family owned. These are some of the most interesting chapters in the book as give people a closer look into the Japanese Sake industry. In addition, this section has chapters on what glassware to use with Sake, as well as pairing Sake with food, and both chapters are informative and enlightening.

The final section,The Brewer's Art Revealed, is the briefest of the three, with only three chapters on the art of Sake brewing. They discuss koji making (basically a mold which turns starch into sugar), the Toji (the master Sake brewer) and brewing different grades of Sake. These are also intriguing chapters, giving you a better idea of the difficulties and complexities of Sake brewing. The importance of koji, the duties of a toji, brewing guilds, and the seasonal aspect of brewing. So many cool and geeky topics.

There are actually a few brief and informative chapters at the end of the book, separate from the three main sections. First, there is Developing Your Sake-Tasting Ability, with advice on how to taste Sake in a more professional manner, honing your tasting ability, which is known as kikizake-noryoku. It isn't necessary to go this far in your Sake tasting, but it is good that the information is there if you want it. It might lead you to a deeper appreciation of this wondrous brew. Next, there is Expanding Your Knowledge, some advice on gaining more Sake knowledge. Finally, there is a Glossary with definitions of many Sake terms.

Readers will appreciate that though John has plenty of Sake opinions and preferences, he doesn't try to impose them on anyone else. There is no pretension here. He simply wants people to taste Sake and develop their own preferences. Overall, this is an informative and fascinating Sake book which I highly recommend. It fills a needed niche for a Sake book that goes beyond the basics, but still is approachable by even the casual reader or newbie to Sake. Even those knowledgeable to Sake are likely to learn at least a few things from this book. Buy this book and read it while sipping a glass of Sake. ...more

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Aug 16, 2014 Nat rated it it was amazing

Interesting and straight to point and also genuinley well written. It is written in way to make sake and all of its type interesting to even non sake connoisseurs. It also has great humor in it to make every part seem fresh.

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Aug 14, 2014 McKenzie Richardson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads, non-fiction, male-authors

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

I have tasted quite a bit of sake, but by no means did I really know anything about it until I read this book. Gauntner did a fantastic job of bringing together a lot of information about sake in an easy-to-understand format. There are so many things I loved about this book.

For starters, the chapters are all realitivilly short and yet are packed full of information. Each chapter is nicely laid out and are set up ...more

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Jul 12, 2014 Toni rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads

I've been a sake fan for many years but really didn't know much about it despite several trips to Japan. I noticed, however, that all of the Japanese chefs I knew or observed seemed to drink their sake cold, right out of the fridge. The first time I drank it cold, I found it equally delicious but definitely a different beverage. Then I wondered if some sakes were best drunk cold and others best hot. This is just one of the many topics John Gauntner addresses in Sake Confidential. He does a crisp ...more

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Jul 19, 2014 Vanessa rated it really liked it

This book is beyond an introduction to sake but the author writes in a way that doesn't make the subject boring or overwhelming. His openness to try different things definitely comes through and that helps the reader keep an open mind to sake as well. He writes with humor while packing in loads of educational info. He comes across as the opposite of a sake snob, quite refreshing after reading a book by a wine snob. ...more

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Aug 02, 2014 Sandy123 rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned

This book provides clear and concise information about how sake is made as well as the different types of sake. It was very informative and well written.

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Dec 07, 2018 Blake Wardell rated it really liked it

A nice little intro in Sake or Nihonshu (日本酒）

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Jul 10, 2018 Kei rated it really liked it

A must-read for sake aficionados! A must-read for anyone who plans to visit sake breweries in Japan.

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May 27, 2016 Quicksilver Quill rated it it was amazing

If you want to further your knowledge and appreciation of sake, The Sake Confidential is an enjoyable and enlightening read. Here John Gauntner shares his extensive experience and expertise with nihonshu, delving into the nuances of sake brewing, production, and tasting that will probably satisfy most readers as would a sip of chilled nama-chozo on a hot summer’s night.

Although both books cover similar ground, you may want to start first with Gauntner’s excellent introduction to sake, The Sake ...more

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