How Long Does Sake Last? (Open, Unopened Bottles)

by Philip Thompson
08 July, 2023

It’s not just grapes that have the ability to ferment into something delicious.

Sake, an alcoholic drink that originated in Japan, is made from fermented rice and shares lots of similarities with beer, but tends to be consumed like wine.

So for those of you eager to give Sake a try, how long can Sake last for once opened, and is Sake capable of going bad in the same way as other wines do?

Let’s start with opened Sake first.

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How Long Does Sake Last?

Generally, an unopened bottle of Sake can be stored for 4 to 5 years. While an opened bottle of Sake lasts 3 to 5 days. The shelf life of Sake varies depending on its style, how its stores and whether the bottle is opened or unopened.

How Long Does Sake Last Opened?

How Long Does Opened Sake Last?

Credit: Sawanotsuru Deluxe Sake Available From Waitrose

Sake comes in lots of different styles so this can vary depending on the style or bottle that you have.

Just like Champagne and sparkling wines, try and drink sparkling Sake on the day of opening, although it can last for 3-5 days as long as it is sealed tightly and refrigerated well.

Still Sake, on the other hand, doesn’t have any fizz to lose so can last for a bit longer, although try and drink within 3-5 days if you want the Sake at its best.

But what about unopened bottles of Sake?

How Long Does Sake Last Unopened?

Unopened Sake Shelf Life

Credit: Sawanotsuru Deluxe Sake Available From Waitrose

Sake is made with lots of care and shelf life will vary from bottle to bottle, so try and consume your Sake within 4-5 years of purchasing.

If in doubt, speak to your Sake retailer as they’ll be able to advise you on the specific longevity of the individual bottles you plan on taking home with you.

So how can you store your Sake to keep it fresher for longer?

How To Store Opened Sake

Storing Opened Sake

Just like you would with opened bottles of wine, try to store opened Sake in the fridge and seal the bottle with a stopper.

You want to try and preserve the Sake’s freshness and flavour for as long as possible and doing these two things will help immensely.

Related: Should Sake Be Chilled?

So should unopened Sake be stored in the same way?

How To Store Unopened Sake

Storing Unopened Sake

Treat your unopened Sake as you would treat your prized bottles of wine, especially when it comes to storage.

So limit:

Any exposure to light
Try to maintain cool and consistent temperatures
Keep your Sake away from loud noises or vibrations.

So if you keep your Sake in pristine condition, does that mean it won’t go bad?

Does Sake Go Bad?

Sake is a premium product and has been made with care but even then it is capable of going bad, so try and apply as much care into the storage that went into the making.

If you have any questions on the long term storage of your bottles of wine, Sake or other alcoholic beverages please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Expert Wine Storage.

So how can you tell if Sake has gone bad?

How Can You Tell If Sake Has Gone Bad?

How To Tell If Sake Has Gone Bad

If you have a sparkling Sake in your fridge then a sure sign it has gone bad is if the carbonation is no longer there. A sparkling Sake is no good if it pours flat!

When it comes to still styles of Sake, look out for weird smells or unpleasant flavours.

Any changes to appearances or any unusual sediment forming in the bottle is a sign that the Sake is past its best.

But can a fridge help to keep Sake fresher for longer?

Do You Keep Opened Sake In The Fridge?

Wine Fridge

Yes, you can put any opened Sake you may have in the fridge.

Simply put a stopper in the bottle to reduce the oxygen impact, place it back in the fridge and your Sake should be good to drink for another 3-5 days.

Although it’s always better to consume your Sake at its freshest.

So does that mean unopened Sake should go in the fridge, too?

Do You Keep Unopened Sake In The Fridge?

Sake bottles don’t always have to go in the fridge, especially when you don’t plan on drinking them anytime soon.

Instead, keep your unopened Sake somewhere cool and dark and they’ll be more than fine to stay there for months, if not years.

So does Sake have an expiration date?

Does Sake Expire?

Sake may be a very fun and delicious way to consume alcohol, but like all fermented products it will lose its sparkle and diminish over time.

So remember it’s always sooner rather than later when it comes to Sake, don’t leave your bottles unattended for too long.

Summary of How Long Does Sake Last

Here's a summary of all you need to know about how long Sake Lasts:

Topic	Information
Opened Sake	Lasts up to 5 days after opening, but try and drink it fresh
Unopened Sake	Can last 5 years in cellar conditions
Storing Opened Sake	Use a stopper or cork Keep well chilled Avoid exposure to light and vibrations
Storing Unopened Sake	Store in a cool, dark place with minimal vibrations and noise
Sake Going Bad	Over time, Sake will go bad and become undrinkable
Signs of Bad Sake	Change in appearance (brown and sediment forming) Off-smelling aromas Vinegar-like taste
Keeping Opened Sake	Slight chilling is beneficial, but domestic fridges may be too cold for serving Sake
Keeping Unopened Sake	Avoid prolonged storage in domestic fridges, opt for cool, dark conditions
Sake Expiration	No set expiry date, but it will eventually become undrinkable