The U.S. National Sake Appraisal

The U.S. National Sake Appraisal has been held annually since 2001 and is the oldest sake appraisal conducted outside Japan. Eleven judges—usually nine from Japan and two from the U.S.—evaluate approximately 500 sake entries over three days following traditional Japanese judging procedures. Top-scoring labels receive gold and silver awards, with “Grand Prix,” “Second Grand Prix” and “Third Grand Prix” awards given to entries with the highest marks in each category.

Held annually since 2001, The Joy of Sake is the largest sake tasting event outside of Japan.

The Appraisal

Background, history, purpose

“About the Appraisal”

The Judging

Procedures, process, criteria

“About the Judging”

Results

2023 U.S. National Sake Appraisal

“Judging Results”

Entry Form

Submitting an entry

Entry Guidelines

The Joy of Sake

New York • Honolulu

All entries to the U.S. National Sake Appraisal are presented for tasting by the public at Joy of Sake New York and Honolulu.

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