Most foods and beverages have a best-by date or expiration date, but sake does not have a best-by date label. Due to the bactericidal action of alcohol, corrosion does not proceed immediately and the sake can be stored for a long period of time.

Can you drink 20 year old sake?

Can you drink old sake? … Sake without an expiration date does not mean that the taste will not change over the years. If it hasn’t been opened then there will be no health problem, but the fragrance and taste will change.

How long is unopened sake good for?

Unopened, sake is best drunk within 12 months of the bottling date or 2 years if kept in cool storage/refrigerated. Of course this time is way shorter for Nama (unpasteurized sake) or if the storage area gets warm.