Judging Results

2012 U.S. National Sake Appraisal
Summary and Results

Dates: July 17–18, 2012
Place: Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

Participating Judges

Katsuya Gomi Professor, Agriculture Department, Tohoku University
Koichi Hasegawa President, Hasegawa Saketen, Inc.
Hitoshi Utsunomiya Senior Adviser (Analysis and Brewing Technology), National Tax Agency
Katsumi Matsumaru Director, Safety and Quality Research Division, National Research Institute of Brewing
Tomokazu Hashiguchi Senior Researcher, Safety and Quality Research Division, National Research Institute of Brewing
Hayes Swopes Sake Instructor, SushiSamba
Philip Harper Managing Director/Master Brewer, Kinoshita Shuzo
Chris Johnson Sake Educator
lito Pineda Chief Operating Officer, World Sake Imports
Hiroko Smith Co-owner, Sakaya (Sake retail shop in New York)

Emerald Award

A tally of the number of gold and silver awards won by each brewery has been kept since the first Appraisal in 2001. Every year the brewery with the largest number of cumulative awards, and which has not received the award previously, is presented with the Emerald Award.

Prize Brewery Prefecture
Emerald Award Miyasaka Jozo Nagano

Grand Prix Awards

Entries with the highest score in each category received a Grand Prix award for that category. The two entries with the next highest scores received Second and Third Grand Prix awards in each category.

Daiginjo A

Prize Brewery Prefecture Label
Grand Prix Kato Kichibee Shoten Fukui Born “Yume wa Masayume”
(Born: Dreams Come True)
Second and Third Grand Prix Okunomatsu Shuzo Fukushima Okunomatsu “Junmai Daiginjo”
Shirakabe Gura Hyogo Shirakabe Gura “Daiginjo”

Daiginjo B

Prize Brewery Prefecture Label
Grand Prix Okunomatsu Shuzo Fukushima Okunomatsu “Sakura Daiginjo”
Second and Third Grand Prix Momokawa Aomori Momokawa “Daiginjo”
Ninki Shuzo Fukushima Ninkiichi “Gold Ninki Junmai Daiginjo”

Ginjo

Prize Brewery Prefecture Label
Grand Prix Dewazakura Shuzo Yamagata Dewazakura “Omachi” Junmai Ginjo
Second and Third Grand Prix Momokawa Aomori Momokawa “Sugidama” Ginjo Junmai
Shimizu Jozo Mie Zaku “Megumi no Tomo”

Junmai

Prize Brewery Prefecture Label
Grand Prix Saiya Shuzoten Akita Yuki no Bosha “Yamahai Junmai”
Second and Third Grand Prix Dewazakura Shuzo Yamagata Dewazakura “Dewa no Sato” Junmaishu
Shindo Shuzoten Yamagata Ura Gasanryu “Fuka”

Daiginjo A Polishing ratio 40% or less

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Abekan Shuzoten Abekan "Daiginjo" Miyagi Gold
Asahi Shuzo Dassai "Migaki Niwari Sanbu" (Dassai 23) Yamaguchi Gold
Azuma no Fumoto Shuzo Azuma no Fumoto "Daiginjo" Yamagata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Daiginjo" Yamagata Gold
Goto Shuzoten "Shuchurakuko" Tokusen Daiginjo Genshu Yamagata Gold
Hakutsuru Shuzo Hakutsuru "Fukurozuri" Daiginjo Genshu Hyogo Gold
Ippongi Kubo Honten "Le Premier Rouge" Fukui Gold
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Nihon no Tsubasa" (Wing of Japan) Fukui Gold
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Yume wa Masayume" (Born: Dreams Come True) Fukui Gold
Kikuisami Kikuisami "Hiden" Daiginjo Yamagata Gold
Kinshi Masamune Kinshi Masamune "Daiginjo" Kyoto Gold
Kodama Jozo Taiheizan "Tenko" Akita Gold
Morishima Shuzo Taikan "Gentei Daiginjo" Ibaraki Gold
Okuizumo Shuzo "Nitamai Kairyohattannagare Daiginjo" Shimane Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Daiginjo Shizukusake "Juhachidai Ihee" Fukushima Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Junmai Daiginjo" Fukushima Gold
Seitoku Meijo Seitoku "Daiginjo" Gunma Gold
Shindo Shuzoten Gasanryu "Gokugetsu" Yamagata Gold
Shirakabe Gura Shirakabe Gura "Daiginjo" Hyogo Gold
Tanabe Shuzo Echizen Misaki "Daiginjo Gin no Shizuku" Fukui Gold
Tenzan Shuzo "Hitenzan" Daiginjo Saga Gold
Tonoike Shuzoten Sanran "Daiginjo Shizukuzake" Tochigi Gold
Akita Seishu Kariho "Koun" Daiginjo Akita Silver
Funaki Shuzo Funaki "Ginfubukimai Shiyo" Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Fukui Silver
Gensui Shuzo Gensui "Daiginjo" Tottori Silver
Gochoda Shuzo Azumaichi "Junmai Daiginjo" Saga Silver
Hamakawa Shoten Bijobu "Kaoru" Daiginjo Kochi Silver
Hokusetsu Shuzo Hokusetsu "Koshitanrei" Junmai Daiginjo Niigata Silver
Imazato Shuzo Rokujuyoshu "Daginjo" Nagasaki Silver
Imazato Shuzo Rokujuyoshu "Junmai Daginjo" Nagasaki Silver
Koizumi Shuzo Tokaizakari "Daiginjo" Chiba Silver
Kojima Sohonten Toko "Junmai Daiginjo" Yamagata Silver
Konishi Shuzo "Junmai Daiginjo Otokoyama" Hyogo Silver
Kubota Shuzo Kinsho Hishimasamune "Daiginjo" Hiroshima Silver
Matsuse Shuzo Matsu no Tsukasa "Daiginjo Shizuku" Shiga Silver
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Yumedono" Daiginjo Nagano Silver
Nagai Shuzo Mizubasho "Daiginjoshu" Gunma Silver
Nagurayama Shuzo Nagurayama "Kanpyokai Shuppinshu" Fukushima Silver
Nakano BC Kinokuniya Bunzaemon "Kuro" Daiginjo Wakayama Silver
Otokoyama Honten Sotenden "Daiginjo" Miyagi Silver
Saito Shuzo "Izutsuya Ihee Sanwari Gobu Migaki" Junmai Daiginjo Kyoto Silver
Saiya Shuzoten "Akita Sake Komachi" Daiginjo Akita Silver
Sakuramasamune Sakuramasamune "Oka Ichirin" Daiginjo Hyogo Silver
Sumikawa Shuzojo Toyobijin "Ichibanmatoi Junmai Daiginjo" Yamaguchi Silver
Tatenokawa Shuzo Tatenokawa 18 Yamagata Silver
Tentaka Shuzo Tentaka "Ginsho" Junmai Daiginjo Tochigi Silver
Tsukasabotan Shuzo Tsukasabotan "Sakafunashibori" Junmai Daiginjo Kochi Silver
Uchigasaki Shuzoten Hoyo "Yamadanishiki Daiginjo" Miyagi Silver
Yamagata Honten "Moriko" Yamaguchi Silver

Daiginjo B Polishing ratio 50% or less

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Aoki Shuzo Kakurei "Daiginjo" Niigata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Ichiro" Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Gold
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Sanka" Junmai Daiginjo Nagano Gold
Momokawa Momokawa "Daiginjo" Aomori Gold
Ninki Shuzo Ninkiichi "Gold Ninki Junmai Daiginjo" Fukushima Gold
Obata Shuzo Manotsuru "Hyakunijusshiki" Daiginjo Genshu Niigata Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Sakura Daiginjo" Fukushima Gold
Saito Shuzo "Koto Sennen" Junmai Daiginjo Kyoto Gold
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Daiginjo" Akita Gold
Sohomare Shuzo Sohomare "Kimoto Shikomi Junmai Daiginjo" Tochigi Gold
Takeda Shuzoten Katafune "Daiginjo" Niigata Gold
Tanabe Shuzo Echizen Misaki "Daiginjo" Fukui Gold
Tenju Shuzo Chokaisan "Junmai Daiginjo" Akita Gold
Yoshida Shuzoten Tedorigawa "Yamahai Jikomi Junmai Daiginjo" Ishikawa Gold
Chiyokotobuki Toraya Chiyokotobuki "Toranoko" Yamagata Silver
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Aiyama" Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Silver
Gassan Shuzo Gassan "Uedaya" Daiginjo Yamagata Silver
Hakurei Shuzo "Fukukaijuzan" Kyoto Silver
Hamakawa Shoten Bijobu "Gin no Yume" Junmai Daiginjo Kochi Silver
Kamenoi Shuzo Kudoki Jozu "Aiyama" Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Silver
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Gold" Fukui Silver
Kinoshita Shuzo Tamagawa "Kinsho" Daiginjo (Heart of Gold) Kyoto Silver
Kojima Sohonten Toko "Daiginjo Hidarikiki" Yamagata Silver
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Nanago" Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo Nagano Silver
Murashige Shuzo Hinoshitamuso "Junmai Daiginjo" Yamaguchi Silver
Nakao Jozo "Maboroshi Kuro" Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Hiroshima Silver
Shindo Shuzoten Gasanryu "Kisaragi" Yamagata Silver
Tajima Shuzo Fukuchitose "Fuku" Fukui Silver
Tohoku Meijo Hatsumago "Shozui" Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Silver
Uchigasaki Shuzoten Hoyo "Kura no Hana" Junmai Daiginjo Miyagi Silver
Watarai Honten Dewanoyuki "Daiginjo" Yamagata Silver

Ginjo

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Dewasansan" Junmai Ginjo Yamagata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Oka Ginjo Yamadanishiki" Yamagata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Oka" Ginjo Yamagata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo Yamagata Gold
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo Saga Gold
Gochoda Shuzo Azumaichi "Yamadanishiki Junmai Ginjo" Saga Gold
Imanishi Seibei Shoten Harushika "Junmai Ginjo Sake" Nara Gold
Imazato Shuzo Rokujuyoshu "Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki" Nagasaki Gold
Kaba Shuzojo Shiramayumi "Junmai Ginjo" Gifu Gold
Machida Shuzoten Machida Shuzo "Junmai Ginjo 50" Gunma Gold
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Kaden Tezukuri" Ginjo Nagano Gold
Momokawa Momokawa "Sugidama" Ginjo Junmai Aomori Gold
Nagurayama Shuzo "Yokikana" Fukushima Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Adatara Ginjo" Fukushima Gold
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Hiden Yamahai" Akita Gold
Sakai Shuzo Gokyo "Ginjo Genshu" Yamaguchi Gold
Seitoku Meijo Seitoku "Ginjo" Gunma Gold
Shimizu Jozo Zaku "Megumi no Tomo" Mie Gold
Shimizu Jozo Zaku "Miyabi no Tomo" Nakadori Mie Gold
Tenzan Shuzo Shichida "Junmai Ginjo" Saga Gold
Watanabe Shuzoten Horai "Dento Karakuchi" Ginjo Gifu Gold
Yano Shuzo "Hizen Kuragokoro" Junmai Ginjo Saga Gold
Akita Seishu Yamatoshizuku "Junmai Ginjo" Akita Silver
Aoki Shuzo Kakurei "Junmai Ginjo" Niigata Silver
Asahara Shuzo Musashino "Junmai Ginjo" Saitama Silver
Daiichi Shuzo Kaika "Kaze no Ichirin" Tochigi Silver
Fuchuhomare Wataribune "Junmai Ginjo 55" Ibaraki Silver
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Aiyama" Junmai Ginjo Saga Silver
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Yamadanishiki" Junmai Ginjo Saga Silver
Funaki Shuzo Funaki "Junmai Ginjo Gentei Nihyakkan Shinrikimai Shiyo" Fukui Silver
Gassan Shuzo Gassan "Gassan no Yuki" Junmai Ginjo Yamagata Silver
Hakkai Jozo Hakkaisan "Junmai Ginjo" Niigata Silver
Honke Matsuura Shuzojo Narutotai "Junmai Ginjo Genshu" Tokushima Silver
Iinuma Honke Kinoene "Yuga" Junmai Ginjo Chiba Silver
Imada Shuzo Honten "Biho" Junmai Ginjo Hiroshima Silver
Ishimoto Shuzo Koshi no Kanbai "Kinmuku" Niigata Silver
Ishimoto Shuzo Koshi no Kanbai "Tokusen" Niigata Silver
Kanei Tanaka Shuzo Kikkougura "Junmai Ginjo Genshu" Hokkaido Silver
Kojima Sohonten "Retsu" Junmai Ginjo Yamagata Silver
Kojima Sohonten Toko "Dewanosato Junmai Ginjo Genshu" Yamagata Silver
Makino Shuzo "Fujisan" Junmai Ginjo Shizuoka Silver
Matsui Shuzo "Fujichitose Classic" Junmai Ginjo Kyoto Silver
Matsui Shuzoten Matsu no Kotobuki "Junmai Ginjo Omachi" Tochigi Silver
Miyao Shuzo Shimeharitsuru "Jun" Niigata Silver
Nagai Shuzo Mizubasho "Ginjoshu" Gunma Silver
Ninki Shuzo Ninkiichi "Kuroninki Junmai Ginjo" Fukushima Silver
Okuizumo Shuzo "Senjunoizumi" Ginjo Shimane Silver
Rokkasen Yamahoshi "Junmai Ginjo" Yamagata Silver
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Junmai Ginjo" Akita Silver
Sato Sajiuemonjo "Yamatozakura Yamadanishiki" Yamagata Silver
Tamanohikari Shuzo Tamanohikari "Yamahai Junmai Ginjo" Kyoto Silver
Tenju Shuzo Tenju "Junmai Ginjo" Akita Silver
Tonoike Shuzoten Sanran "Junmai Ginjo" Tochigi Silver
Zao Shuzo "Hanayamabuki" Junmai Ginjo Miyagi Silver

Junmai

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Dewa no Sato" Junmaishu Yamagata Gold
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Saga Gold
Hakurei Shuzo Hakurei "Koden" Tokubetsu Junmaishu Kyoto Gold
Imazato Shuzo Rokujuyoshu "Junmaishu Yamadanishiki" Nagasaki Gold
Kasumitsuru Kasumitsuru "Kimoto Junmai" Hyogo Gold
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Tokujo" Fukui Gold
Kawakei Shoten Tachibanaya "Hitomebore" Miyagi Gold
Koimari Shuzo "Koimarisaki Zenryo Omachi Junmaishu" Saga Gold
Matsui Shuzo Kagura "Muroka Karakuchi Junmai" Kyoto Gold
Miyasaka Jozo Miyasaka "Yawaraka Junmai" Nagano Gold
Murashige Shuzo Hinoshitamuso "Junmaishu" Yamaguchi Gold
Nanbu Bijin Nanbu Bijin "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Iwate Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Tokubetsu Junmai" Fukushima Gold
Otokoyama Honten Sotenden "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Miyagi Gold
Rokkasen Rokkasen "Godanshikomi Junmai-12" Yamagata Gold
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Yamahai Junmai" Akita Gold
Sakai Shuzo Gokyo "Isehikari Kiokezukuri Kimoto Junmaishu" Yamaguchi Gold
Shindo Shuzoten Ura Gasanryu "Fuka" Yamagata Gold
Sohomare Shuzo Sohomare "Kimoto Shikomi Tokubetsu Junmai" Tochigi Gold
Sugii Shuzo Suginishiki "Kimoto Tokubetsu Junmai Nakadori Genshu" (2011 BY) Shizuoka Gold
Sumikawa Shuzojo Toyobijin "Tokubetsu Junmai" Yamaguchi Gold
Tenzan Shuzo Shichida "Junmai" Saga Gold
Tenzan Shuzo Tenzan "Jizake" Saga Gold
Yoshida Shuzoten Tedorigawa "Yamahai Jikomi Junmaishu" Ishikawa Gold
Yoshinogawa Yoshinogawa "Echigo Junmai" Niigata Gold
Yumegokoro Shuzo "Naraman" Muroka Binhiire Junmaishu Fukushima Gold
Akita Shuzo Akitabare "Koshiki Junzukuri" Akita Silver
Fujii Shuzo Ryusei "Kimotozukuri" Hiroshima Silver
Goto Shuzoten Benten "Tokubetsu Junmaishu Tsuyahime 100%" Yamagata Silver
Iinuma Honke Kinoene "Junmai Migaki Hachiwari" Chiba Silver
Imanishi Seibei Shoten Harushika "Umakuchi Yodanshikomi Junmaishu" Nara Silver
Imayotsukasa Shuzo "Tennensuijikomi Junmaishu" Niigata Silver
Ishimoto Shuzo Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" Niigata Silver
Kano Shuzo Jokigen "Junmaishu" Ishikawa Silver
Kasumitsuru Kasumitsuru "Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai" Hyogo Silver
Kato Kahachiro Shuzo Oyama "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Yamagata Silver
Kato Kahachiro Shuzo Oyama "Tomizu" Tokubetsu Junmaishu Yamagata Silver
Kayashima Shuzo Nishinoseki "Tezukuri Junmaishu" Oita Silver
Kinshihai Shuzo Yukikage "Tokubetsu Junmai" Niigata Silver
Kurosawa Shuzo Kurosawa "Junmai Kimoto" Nagano Silver
Matsunoi Shuzojo Matsunoi "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Niigata Silver
Momokawa Momokawa "Nebuta Tanrei Junmaishu" Aomori Silver
Nakao Jozo Seikyo "Junmai Takehara" Hiroshima Silver
Saura Urakasumi "Junmaishu" Miyagi Silver
Shimizu Jozo Zaku "Ho no Tomo" Mie Silver
Shirakabe Gura Shirakabe Gura "Kimoto Tokubetsu Junmai" Hyogo Silver
Shirakabe Gura Shirakabe Gura "Shochikubai" Kimoto Junmai Hyogo Silver
Takeda Shuzoten Katafune "Junmaishu" Niigata Silver
Tentaka Shuzo Tentaka "Yuki Junmaishu" Tochigi Silver
Tohoku Meijo Hatsumago "Kimoto Junmaishu" Yamagata Silver
Yaegaki Shuzo Yaegaki "Kuro-bin" Junmaishu Hyogo Silver
Yano Shuzo "Hizen Kuragokoro" Kimoto Junmai Saga Silver

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