Our Founders

The Isake International story began in 2004, when the passions of a French Sommelier (Xavier Chapelou) and a Japanese Sake Expert (Kumiko Ohta) were brought together. While each devoted to their respective fields, a great love for the world of gastronomy brought them together, blending their talents and expertise. They have since dedicated themselves to the championing of premium sake, proving instrumental in bringing sake out of its native Japan and introducing it to the UK market and helping people to appreciate it in the same vein as they would a fine wine. Isake International have introduced a greatly diverse array, ranging from classic clean, crisp sake to more complex vintages. Not content with simply bringing the rarest, most exquisite sake they have worked side by side with some of Japan’s finest sake brewers to create a truly unique collection.Isake International now enjoys a loyal following of fine restaurants, bars, wine-merchants as well as private clients.

Our Journey So far

Below are just some of the highlights of our almost 15 year journey spreading the joy of sake

Did　You　Know? Isake International were the first to bring Dassai to Europe!

Pioneering Isake International have always been instrumental in bringing diverse cultures together.Red rice from Carmague, France & Japanese brewing

The　First Always on the cutting edge, in 2007 Isake International was already pairing sake with innovative non-Japanese gastronomy. Here with Heston Blumenthal at the Fat Duck

 Luxury In 2015 Isake 19 featured on Channel 4’s “The World’s Most Expensive Foods”

Timeless Style Drink like Bond! GQ magazine

Bespoke Drinks Innovation In 2016 Isake International collaborated with Seema Lohia and a French cognac house to create Enamor!

Our Goal

 WE ARE STILL AS COMMITED AS EVER TO SPREADING THE JOY OF SAKE THROUGH INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION