Experience Art, Craftsmanship, & Sake 

Join us for a unique evening at County Hall Pottery, celebrating the extraordinary sake-serving ware of artist Tim Copsey. Known for blending traditional Japanese pottery techniques with raw materials sourced from the Peak District, Tim’s work elevates the sensory experience of drinking sake.

Discover Tim’s Story 
During this intimate event, Tim will share the inspirations and stories behind his handcrafted tokkuri flasks and guinomi cups. These stunning vessels, shaped by natural textures and the transformative power of fire, are designed to be both functional and beautiful. 
Each guest will select one of Tim’s cups to use on the evening and take home as a memento of the experience. 

Guided Sake Tasting 
Accompanied by Tim’s exquisite pottery, sake sommelier Kylie Clark will guide you through a tasting of four Japanese drinks, introducing their unique flavours, pairings, and how to enjoy them in the warmer months ahead. 
To enhance the tasting, a selection of Japanese-inspired light snacks will be served. 

Sake Selection 

Shichiken Yama no Kasumi Sparkling Sake 
Platinum winner in the Sparkling Sake category at the prestigious 2024 Kura Master Awards in France. Crafted in Yamanashi, near the iconic Mt. Fuji, this exceptional sake is made using locally grown Hitogokochi and Asahinoyume rice. Made following a method inspired by Champagne, the first fermentation occurs in a vat, while the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle — resulting in natural bubbles and a fine, lingering mousse. 

Sakari No. 11 Junmai Daiginjo 
Founded in 1889, Nihon Sakari is a leading sake brewery in Japan's renowned Nishinomiya sake district. Since 1913, Nihon Sakari has been an official sake supplier to Japan's Imperial Household. Their Sakari brand, launched in 2021, combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern, approachable design. Within their Sakari range is the No. 11 Junmai Daiginjo Sake brewed with rice polished to 50% and Sakari's signature yeast. This sake offers a complex aroma and flavour profile with tropical fruit and floral notes and a hint of persimmon.  

Tsuki no Katsura Junmai 
A sake from Kyoto’s oldest brewery, Masuda Tokubee, established in 1675 in the Fushimi sake district. This sake embodies the brewery's philosophy: 'Drink the culture, taste the craftsmanship.' Expect a complex and versatile profile, featuring delicate aromas of banana, mint, and lime, which unfold into flavours of crisp green apple, luscious white peach, and subtle vanilla. A perfect complement to the artistry surrounding us this evening. 

Akamon Junmai 
From Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, comes Akamon — an unfiltered, unpasteurised, undiluted sake that’s as fresh and vibrant as if sampled straight from the tank. This rich and bold Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai is made by Obata Brewery, a family-run sake brewery founded in 1892, known for using the island’s pure spring water and locally grown rice to craft expressive, elegant sake. Today, Obata is a globally minded, sustainability-focused brewery guided by the philosophy: “Brew Happiness by Brewing Sake. 

Wakayama Umeshu  
Wakayama is Japan’s leading ume plum region, famed for its fragrant, juicy Nanko plums. We’ll end the tasting on a sweet note with a Wakayama umeshu - an aromatic liqueur made by steeping plums in alcohol. Prized for its quality, Wakayama umeshu holds a protected Geographical Indication (GI), just like Champagne in France. 

Book Your Place 
This event is more than a sake tasting - it’s a celebration of art, craft, and Japanese culture. Whether you’re a seasoned sake enthusiast or new to the world of sake, this intimate gathering offers a rare opportunity to engage with the artist, savour unique sakes, and enjoy a curated selection of light snacks alongside fellow art and culture lovers. 

Limited Tickets 
Only 20 seats are available. Reserve your spot now at [Insert URL to book]. 

About the artist 
Tim Copsey's pottery is on the border between function and sculpture, drawing deep inspiration from the Peak District Pennine landscape and its changing seasons. His work includes vases, bowls, bottles, and cups, which he playfully refers to as "Serving Suggestions." The Waterfall series, for example, captures the dynamic flow of water over rocks, echoing the act of pouring, much like the "tok tok" sound of a tokkuri. 

Tim's process involves multiple firings, often starting in a wood kiln and finishing with lustres. His pottery, described as "beautifully ugly" or resembling "space debris," aims to be playful, elemental, and evocative of both its material origins and the landscape it reflects. 

For this sake tasting evening at County Hall Pottery, Tim presents a collection of sake serving ware - tokkuri and guinomi - crafted with materials from the Peak District. These pieces, rich with textured surfaces, embody a fusion of Japanese tradition and the rugged beauty of the local landscape. 

Price: £80 (includes a sake cup by Tim Copsey to keep, sake tasting, and light snacks)

Limited Tickets 
Only 20 seats are available. Reserve your spot now at countyhallpottery.com.