The 3rd Annual Japanese Spirits Tasting Soiree is officially a wrap. In this episode, Reiko reflects on a night that went from 35 spirits to over 50, what this community is really about, the new faces she got to meet, and a thank you to the people who keep showing up year after year.

In this episode, Reiko celebrates America's 250th birthday and gets real about ticket sales for the July 12th Soiree at Hotel ZENA in Washington, DC. Step away from the fireworks and fanfare for one quiet, curious evening of Japanese shochu, whisky, and gin.🎟️ Tickets: dcsake.com🌸 DC Sake cō — bringing Japan to your doorstep, one bottle at a time.#SakeStories #JapaneseSpirits #DCSakeCo #WashingtonDC #Shochu #JapaneseWhisky #Gin

Six years. Some days that number fills me with pride — other days it's honestly shocking how fast it's all gone by. 😅In this episode, I'm sitting down ...just me, talking my raw feeling🍶🔗 Shop Japanese sake & spirits: https://dcsake.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter: https://dcsake.com/pages/newsletter-s...

The 3rd Annual Japanese Spirits Tasting Soiree is coming up fast — Saturday, July 12th, 2026, at Hotel ZENA in Washington, DC. In this episode, Reiko gives you the update you've been waiting for: general tickets are officially live, and two very special guests are joining this year's lineup.In this episode:🎟️ General tickets are now available at dcsake.com🥃 Meet Brian Oh, DC's beloved whisky collector, who's bringing pieces from his personal collection — available by the dram, with priority access for VIP ticket holders🍸 Meet Fernando, bartender formerly of Baan Mae, now at La Shukran — crafting simple, approachable cocktails (no fancy techniques required) that you can recreate at home, available à la carte at the event🌸 A reminder that the classic spirits tour — whisky, Japanese-botanical gin and vodka, and high-ABV shochu — is still the heart of the nightFeatured guests:Jen — Instagram   / japanesewhiskylady  Brian — Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brianoh11/?...Fernando — Instagram   / fernando_qdc  Get your tickets:👉 https://dcsake.com/products/japanese-...Event details:📍 Hotel ZENA, Washington, DC📅 Saturday, July 12th, 2026

In this episode, host Reiko of DC Sake co. announces the return of the Japanese Spirits Soiree — now in its third year — taking place Sunday, July 12th at Hotel ZENA in Washington DC. General admission guests can taste their way through an incredible lineup of Japanese spirits: whisky, vodka, rum, gin featuring uniquely Japanese botanicals like sansho pepper and shiso, shochu at higher ABVs that are catching the attention of US bartenders, and even Japanese bitters and aperitivos. VIP ticket holders get an exclusive deep-dive tasting session with Sekk Sato Shiki, a brand new to the US market whose Single Grain whisky — made from 88% Koshihikari rice — is challenging everything we think we know about whisky. Plus, VIP guests enter a raffle for the chance to purchase rare, limited-release bottles. Come thirsty, come curious.

Memorial Day is almost here — and yes, I’m bringing sake to the BBQ.

In this episode, I’m sharing the two bottles I’m bringing to my own cookout this weekend — and exactly how I’m planning to drink them.

🍶 Cowboy Yamahai — a bold, umami-rich sake built for grilled meat. I’m turning it into a sake highball (sake + sparkling water over ice) that’s perfect for a hot afternoon.

🍶 Cup Sake — single-serving, toss-it-in-the-cooler genius. Plus: why it’s the best conversation starter at any cookout.

My goal is to always make Sake as a normal choice at your cookout. Not the weird bottle. Just one of the things in the cooler.

🛒 Shop Cowboy Yamahai → https://dcsake.com/products/shiokawa-cowboy-yamahai-junmai-kimoto-genshu

🛒 Browse Cup Sake →https://dcsake.com/collections/cup-sake-collection

📬 Newsletter ($10 off your first order) → www.DCsake.com

📸 Instagram → @dcsake#sake #japaneseSake #BBQ

#MemorialDay #SakePairing #DCSake #drinkbetter #kanpai

Mother's Day is coming up, and Reiko's got you covered. In this episode, three sparkling sake recommendations — from the easy crowd-pleaser, to the gorgeous showstopper, to the "barely exists yet" historic bottle that'll blow Mom's mind.Plus: why awasake bottles kept exploding (yes, really), the customer story that proves sparkling sake converts skeptics, and Reiko's begging-not-pleading order deadline.Mentioned in this episode:Mio Sparkling Sake → https://dcsake.com/products/mio-spark...Ichido Rosé Sparkling → https://dcsake.com/products/ichido-ro...Nanbu Bijin Awa sake → https://dcsake.com/collections/awa-sakeHakkaisan Awa sake → https://dcsake.com/collections/awa-sakeOrder by Monday, May 11th to receive in time for Mother's Day.Subscribe, share with a panicking friend, and tell us how Mom liked it →