Zasshu: Chartier x League new electrifying sake blend

Discover ZASSHU 雑種, an exclusive blended artisanal sake crafted by world-renowned sake master blender François Chartier (Essence5 Sake by Chartier), in collaboration with his friend Michael League, leader of the Grammy Award–winning music collective Snarky Puppy.

This electrifying sake blend — unlike anything in the codified world of Japanese sake — will be unveiled on November 24th at the British Sake Association in a World Premiere Masterclass, hosted live on stage by Chartier and League.

This unprecedented event will also showcase the entire new Essence5 Sake Collection from Yamaguchi, along with the new Nihonmatsu–Nakadori ZASSHU sake, paired with Chartier’s groundbreaking Aromatic Science of Molecular Harmonies.

Born at NINKI SAKE BREWERY in the Nihonmatsu–Nakadori region of Japan, ZASSHU 雑種 unites young junmai daiginjo nama and junmai ginjo genshu (50% of the blend) with a touch of young ginjo and aged ginjo jukusei, echoing the art of wine blending to bring depth, length, and a singular harmony. A cultural fusion hybrid, where youth and maturity meet to create a kaleidoscope of flavors — a signature, a sound, a soul.

As a special celebration, this world premiere also coincides with the release of Snarky Puppy’s new album Somni, out November 21st → snarkypuppy.com

The Story Behind “ZASSHU 雑種”

— A Blend of Friendship, Music, and Sake

Michael League and I first met a few years ago when we collaborated on Musical Molecules (https://francoischartier.ca/es/lab-clientes/arte/) — an experimental project where molecules became music, and music became aroma. From that moment, we knew we would create something else together one day.

In November and December 2024, while Michael was in Japan writing the new Snarky Puppy album Somni (released on November 21st), we started exchanging messages almost daily. Between his writing sessions, he was exploring Japan’s sake culture — visiting breweries, tasting, and falling deeper in love with the craft.

At that time, I just returned from Japan, where I was working with NINKI ICHI SHUZO, a new partner in my Essence 5 Sake by Chartier project. During our conversations, the idea was born quite naturally:
“Why don’t we create sake together?”

So I sent Michael several samples from my recent work — experimental blends that combined young and aged sakes, something rarely done in Japan. He tasted them, loved one in particular, and we both knew that was our sake.

A few weeks later, Michael visited Tokyo, and met Ninki Ichi owner, Yujin Yusa and immediately felt the same connection I had. From that moment, everything flowed: I refined the blend — half young with Junmai Daiginjo Nama and with Junmai Ginjo Genshu, balanced with a touch of Ginjo Jukusei — to create a sake that bridges “youth and maturity”, East and West, aroma and music.

Then we worked together on the name and the label. ” ZASSHU 雑種“ means “hybrid” or “crossbreed” — the perfect symbol of our collaboration: Chartier’s science of blending and Snarky Puppy’s fusion of styles. The artwork, created by the Japanese artist, Yori Hatakeyama (friend of Michael) now based in Los Angeles, captures this spirit beautifully — a vibrant crossbreed dog that embodies the freedom of creation.

On November 24th 2025, at the British Sake Association in London, we has unveiled *ZASSHU 雑種* to the world — with Michael in the house, a sake born of friendship, music, and the aromatic science of molecular harmonies.

ZASSHU 雑種 — a blend of souls, crafted in Japan, unveiled in London.

Already available in the UK with Mai Sake
https://www.maisake.com/shop

Soon in Spain
https://www.salvioni-alomar.com/

Sweden/ Norway/ Denmark
https://flyingbrewery.se/

Comment
— Delicious launch of the delightful ZASSHU.

Equally delightful Michael League of Snarky Puppy. It’s sake — but not as you might expect it. ZASSHU is a supple, refreshing aromatic blend that surprises and delights — sake, but in an unexpected way. A blend of vintages from the master blender and molecular specialist François Chartier. ZASSHU, the new blend with Michael League, means mutt or mongrel. But it’s a pedigree, no doubt. I’m a convert: sakes for wine drinkers.” —
Sarah Jane Evans Master of Wine

Tanaka 1789 x chartier

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#SAKEGRAPHY

Welcome to the fascinating and evolving world of sake. Be part of the new sake “r-Evolution”!
“Créateur d’harmonies” François Chartier and sommelier Nicolas Roché have developed a sake community space for sommeliers and drink business professionals.

MASTER BLENDER

François Chartier created a small revolution in the highly codified world of sake when he proposed the art of blending, as is often the case with wine, Champagne and whisky.