Akashi-Tai, the UK’s leading premium artisan sake brand, has secured a nationwide listing with Majestic Wine, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer. Rolling out across 216 stores from this week, the partnership marks a major step in bringing authentic, handcrafted Japanese sake to a wider UK audience.
The launch comes as the UK sake category continues to expand, with the market projected to exceed £222 million by 2028, according to Bonafide Research. The report highlights growing demand for organic and craft sake options as key drivers of category growth – trends reflected in Akashi-Tai’s own performance, which is up almost 30% in sales year-on-year versus 2024.
This listing reinforces Akashi-Tai’s leadership in the premium sake segment and underscores Majestic Wine’s commitment to championing innovation and introducing customers to emerging global drinks categories.
Mikey Allan, UK Sales Director at Marussia Beverages UK said: “We’re super excited to have agreed a Sake partnership with Majestic, with listings of our three core expressions marking another key milestone for Akashi-Tai, that further reinforces our No.1 status in the UK Sake market. It builds on the distribution and availability we already have with our other Akashi-Tai retail partners, both locally and nationally, and supports our wider goal of leading growth of the overall Sake category.”
Tom Brady, Senior Buyer at Majestic Wine said: “At Majestic, we love helping our customers discover new and exciting drinks – and sake is one that’s having its moment right now. We’re delighted to be working with Marussia Beverages to bring the exceptional Akashi-Tai range into our stores. There’s growing interest in sake among our customers, and the feedback we’ve already received suggests this will be a very popular addition. Akashi-Tai offers a truly authentic taste of Japan – beautifully crafted and absolutely delicious.”
Produced in the coastal city of Akashi, by a family-run brewery since 1856, Akashi-Tai is crafted using the highest quality ingredients, including Yamadanishiki rice – often referred to as the “king of sake rice” – and pure spring water from the Akashi region. Every bottle reflects generations of craftsmanship, making Akashi-Tai the choice for consumers seeking premium, authentic sake experiences.
Majestic customers will be able to explore Akashi-Tai’s premium range, ideal for elevated food pairings, celebratory moments and unique aperitif occasions.
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