By James 
Some bottles sit firmly in the dessert category, no matter how you try to categorise them otherwise. Creme de Sake is exactly that kind of bottle, leaning fully into sweetness and richness rather than pretending to be something more restrained.
The Basics
| Type | Nigori, flavoured |
| Brewery | Takara Shuzo, Kyoto |
| ABV | Around 13 to 14% |
| Price Tier | Budget |
| Where to find it | Supermarkets, Asian grocers, and most sake retailers worldwide |
| Serving temp | Chilled, or over ice |
Background
This is another release from Takara Shuzo, the same large producer behind several other Sho Chiku Bai bottles already covered on this blog, though Creme de Sake takes a noticeably different direction from its siblings. Rather than aiming for a traditional drinking experience, this bottle is built around dessert style sweetness and a genuinely creamy texture, closer in spirit to a liqueur than a conventional sake.
Because of that deliberate sweetness, purists sometimes dismiss bottles like this as not being proper sake at all. That feels a little unfair though, since it is honest about what it is from the outset, rather than pretending to be something more serious. It serves a real purpose for people who want sake\’s gentle warmth without its more savoury or dry characteristics.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Sweet and dessert like, with vanilla, cream, and a faint rice sweetness underneath.
Palate
Rich and indulgent, with a pronounced creamy sweetness reminiscent of a light dessert liqueur rather than a traditional sake.
Finish
Smooth and lingering, with the sweetness staying present for a good while after swallowing.
Mouthfeel
Thick and velvety, genuinely closer to a cream liqueur than standard nigori.
Best Paired With
This sake works best alongside or instead of dessert, particularly fruit based puddings, light cakes, or even drizzled over ice cream. It also makes a pleasant after dinner drink served simply over ice.
The Verdict
⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
A genuinely fun, indulgent bottle that knows exactly what it is and does not pretend otherwise. It will not satisfy anyone after a traditional sake experience, but it was never trying to.
Who it\’s for: Dessert lovers, anyone curious about flavoured sake, and people who enjoy cream based liqueurs.
Who should skip it: Sake purists wanting a traditional, savoury drinking experience.
Takeaway: Sho Chiku Bai Creme de Sake proves that sake can comfortably wander into dessert territory without losing its charm.