Judging Results

2010 U.S. National Sake Appraisal
Summary and Results

Dates: August 17–18, 2010
Place: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

Participating Judges

Jessica Furui Sake Program Director, Ozumo Restaurant Group
Darrel Corti President, Corti Brothers, Wine Judge and Consultant
Eisuke Iida President and CEO, Okanaga Co., Ltd. Director, Japan Prestige Sake Association
Hanae Izu Senior Researcher, Safety and Quality Research Division, National Research Institute of Brewing
Chris Johnson Sake Educator
Tokubee Masuda President and CEO, Masuda Tokubee Shoten, Co., Ltd. Chairman, Export Strategy Committee, Japan Sake Brewers Association
Chizuko Niikawa Proprietor, Sake Discoveries
Shigetoshi Sudo Director, Safety and Quality Research Division, National Research Institute of Brewing
Akira Totsuka Visiting Researcher, Tokyo University of Agriculture
Roberto Viernes Master Sommelier, Southern Wine and Spirits of Hawaii

10-Year Grand Award of Excellence

The “Grand Award of Excellence” is awarded to a label that has received the highest ranking in its category over a ten-year period. The ranking is based on “10 points for gold award, 5 points for silver award.” In the ten years of the competition there are only three sakes—one junmai, one ginjo, one daiginjo—that have received 85 points or higher.

Brewery Category Prefecture Label
Kodama Jozo Daiginjo Akita Taiheizan “Tenko”
Dewazakura Shuzo Ginjo Yamagata Dewazakura “Oka” Ginjo
Okunomatsu Shuzo Junmai Fukushima Okunomatsu “Tokubetsu Junmai”

2010 Award of Excellence

This year, the judges recognized the “Top 3” entries in each category at the U.S. National Sake Appraisal. These are the labels that had the highest scores in the tastings conducted over two days by the ten judges. The winners are presented in alphabetical order, not in order of scoring.

Daiginjo A

Brewery Prefecture Label
Kizakura Kyoto Kizakura “Daiginjo”
Kodama Jozo Akita Taiheizan “Tenko”
Nagurayama Shuzo Fukushima Nagurayama “Kanpyokai Shuppinshu”

Daiginjo B

Brewery Prefecture Label
Miyasaka Jozo Nagano Masumi “Nanago” Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo
Nakao Jozo Hiroshima “Maboroshi Kuro” Junmai Daiginjo Genshu
Ninki Shuzo Fukushima Ninkiichi “Gold Ninki Junmai Daiginjo”

Ginjo

Brewery Prefecture Label
Dewazakura Shuzo Yamagata Dewazakura “Dewasansan” Junmai Ginjo
Gassan Shuzo Yamagata Gassan “Gassan no Yuki” Junmai Ginjo
Saiya Shuzoten Akita Yuki no Bosha “Hiden Yamahai”

Junmai

Brewery Prefecture Label
Okunomatsu Shuzo Fukushima Okunomatsu “Tokubetsu Junmai”
Sakai Shuzo Yamaguchi “Kiokezukuri” Kimoto Junmai
Yumegokoro Shuzo Fukushima “Naraman” Muroka Binhiire Junmaishu

Daiginjo A Polishing ratio 40% or less

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Azuma no Fumoto Shuzo Azuma no Fumoto "Daiginjo" Yamagata Gold
Gassan Shuzo Gassan "Uedaya" Daiginjo Yamagata Gold
Gensui Shuzo Gensui "Daiginjo" Tottori Gold
Hamachidori Hamachidori "Daiginjo" Iwate Gold
Higashiyama Shuzo Konteki "Daiginjo" Kyoto Gold
Ippongi Kubo Honten Denshin "First Class" Fukui Gold
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Yume wa Masayume" (Born: Dreams Come True) Fukui Gold
Kizakura Kizakura "Daiginjo" Kyoto Gold
Kodama Jozo Taiheizan "Tenko" Akita Gold
Kuge Honten Kurokui "Daiginjo" Oita Gold
Morishima Shuzo Taikan "Hizoshu" Ibaraki Gold
Nagai Shuzo Mizubasho "Daiginjo" Gunma Gold
Nagurayama Shuzo Nagurayama "Kanpyokai Shuppinshu" Fukushima Gold
Nanbu Bijin Nanbu Bijin "Daiginjo" Iwate Gold
Nishida Shuzoten Nishida "Utou" Daiginjo Aomori Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Junmai Daiginjo" Fukushima Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Daiginjo Shizukusake "Juhachidai Ihee" Fukushima Gold
Seitoku Meijo Seitoku "Daiginjo" Gunma Gold
Shindo Shuzoten Gasanryu "Gokugetsu" Yamagata Gold
Shinozaki Kunigiku "Daiginjo" Fukuoka Gold
Shirakabe Gura Shirakabe Gura "Daiginjo" Hyogo Gold
Tenju Shuzo Chokai "Daiginjo" Akita Gold
Tenzan Shuzo "Hitenzan" Daiginjo Saga Gold
Uchigasaki Shuzoten Hoyo "Yamadanishiki Daiginjo" Miyagi Gold
Ume Ichirin Shuzo Ume Ichirin "Kanpyokai Shuppinshu" Chiba Gold
Yasumoto Shuzo Hakugakusen "Daiginjo" Fukui Gold
Yoshida Shuzoten Tedorigawa "Iki na Onna" Daiginjo Ishikawa Gold
Akita Seishu Dewatsuru "Hihaku" Junmai Daiginjo Akita Silver
Akita Seishu Kariho "Koun" Akita Silver
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Daiginjo" Yamagata Silver
Fuchuhomare Wataribune "Junmai Daiginjo" Ibaraki Silver
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Daiginjo" Saga Silver
Ippongi Kubo Honten "Le Premier Rouge" Fukui Silver
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Tokusen" Junmai Daiginjo Fukui Silver
Kikuisami Kikuisami "Hiden" Daiginjo Yamagata Silver
Muromachi Shuzo Sakura Muromachi "Gold Omachi Mai no Sato" Junmai Daiginjo Okayama Silver
Obata Shuzo Manotsuru "Maho" Niigata Silver
Saito Shuzo Eikun "Ichigin" Junmai Daiginjo Kyoto Silver
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Kachogeseki" Akita Silver
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Sake Komachi" Akita Silver
Shimizu Jozo Zaku "Daichi" Daiginjo Mie Silver
Takenotsuyu Hakurosuishu "Junmai Daiginjo" Yamagata Silver
Tokoyama Shuzo Jozan "Daiginjo" Fukui Silver
Yamanashi Meijo Shichiken "Nakaya Ihee" Yamanashi Silver
Yamanashi Meijo Shichiken "Onakaya" Yamanashi Silver
Yoshikawa Toji no Sato Yoshikawa Toji "Daiginjo" Niigata Silver

Daiginjo B Polishing ratio 50% or less

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Ichiro" Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Yamadanishiki 48%" Daiginjo Yamagata Gold
Honke Matsuura Shuzojo Narutotai "Daiginjo" Tokushima Gold
Kamenoi Shuzo Kudoki Jozu "Aiyama" Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Gold
Mado no Ume Shuzo Mado no Ume "Hana no Yoi" Saga Gold
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Nanago" Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo Nagano Gold
Momokawa Murai Family "Daiginjo Saké" Aomori Gold
Nakao Jozo "Maboroshi Kuro" Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Hiroshima Gold
Ninki Shuzo Ninkiichi "Gold Ninki Junmai Daiginjo" Fukushima Gold
Nishida Shuzoten Nishida "Denshu Yonwarigobu" Junmai Daiginjo Aomori Gold
Saura Urakasumi "Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo" Miyagi Gold
Tajima Shuzo Fukuchitose "Fuku" Fukui Gold
Tenju Shuzo Chokaisan "Junmai Daiginjo" Akita Gold
Tohoku Meijo Hatsumago "Shozui" Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Gold
Toyokuni Shuzo Shinjitsu "Ginjo" Fukushima Gold
Yoshida Shuzoten Tedorigawa "Yamahai Jikomi Junmai Daiginjo" Ishikawa Gold
Chiyokotobuki Toraya Chiyokotobuki "Toranoko" Yamagata Silver
Eiko Shuzo Yumetsukiyo "Junmai Daiginjo" Ehime Silver
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Kichibei" Fukui Silver
Kokonoesaika Saika "Junmai Daiginjo" Wakayama Silver
Miyasaka Jozo Masumi "Sanka" Junmai Daiginjo Nagano Silver
Murashige Shuzo Kinkan Kuromatsu "Junmai Daiginjo" Yamaguchi Silver
Nagai Shuzo Mizubasho "Junmai Daiginjo" Gunma Silver
Nishiyama Shuzojo Kotsuzumi "Rojo Hanaari" Hyogo Silver
Saito Shuzo Eikun "Koto Sennen" Junmai Daiginjo Kyoto Silver
Shimizu Jozo Zaku "Miyabi no Tomo" Nakadori Mie Silver
Shindo Shuzoten Gasanryu "Kisaragi" Yamagata Silver
Takano Shuzo Takano "Koshiji Fubuki" Niigata Silver
Ume Ichirin Shuzo Ume Ichirin "Junmai Daiginjo" Chiba Silver
Yaegaki Shuzo "Mu" Junmai Daiginjo Hyogo Silver

Ginjo

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo Yamagata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Dewasansan" Junmai Ginjo Yamagata Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Oka" Ginjo Yamagata Gold
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Summer Moon Ginjo" Saga Gold
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Junmai Ginjo" Saga Gold
Gassan Shuzo Gassan "Gassan no Yuki" Junmai Ginjo Yamagata Gold
Hakurei Shuzo Shutendoji "Ōni" Kyoto Gold
Imanishi Seibei Shoten Harushika "Junmai Ginjo" Nara Gold
Ishimoto Shuzo Koshi no Kanbai "Tokusen" Niigata Gold
Kaba Shuzojo Shiramayumi "Junmai Ginjo" Gifu Gold
Makino Shuzo "Fujisan" Junmai Ginjo Shizuoka Gold
Momokawa Murai Family "Sugidama Saké" Aomori Gold
Nakao Jozo "Seikyo" Junmai Ginjo Omachi Hiroshima Gold
Ninki Shuzo Ninkiichi "Kuroninki Junmai Ginjo" Fukushima Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Adatara Ginjo" Fukushima Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Sakura Ginjo" Fukushima Gold
Rokkasen Yamahoshi "Junmai Ginjo" Yamagata Gold
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Junmai Ginjo" Akita Gold
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Yamahai Junmai" Akita Gold
Saiya Shuzoten Yuki no Bosha "Hiden Yamahai" Akita Gold
Suishin Yamane Honten Suishin "Inaho" Junmai Ginjo Hiroshima Gold
Tajima Shuzo Fukuchitose "Toku" Fukui Gold
Tanaka Shuzo Kikkougura "Junmai Ginjo" Hokkaido Gold
Tonoike Shuzoten Seishu Sanran "Junmai Ginjo" Tochigi Gold
Yano Shuzo "Hizen Kuragokoro" Junmai Ginjo Saga Gold
Aiyu Shuzo Tomoju "Ginjo" Ibaraki Silver
Akita Seishu "Yamatoshizuku" Junmai Ginjo Akita Silver
Daiichi Shuzo Kaika "Kurobin" Junmai Ginjo Tochigi Silver
Goto Shuzojo Seiun "Hayate Kami no Ho" Junmai Ginjo Mie Silver
Hakkai Jozo Hakkaisan "Ginjo" Niigata Silver
Hamachidori Hamachidori "Gingingashikomi" Junmai Ginjo Iwate Silver
Hananomai Shuzo Hananomai "Katana" Shizuoka Silver
Hinomaru Jozo Manabito "Kimoto Junmai Ginjo" Akita Silver
Iinuma Honke "Yuga" Junmai Ginjo Chiba Silver
Imayotsukasa Shuzo Imayotsukasa "Meikai" Niigata Silver
Ishizuchi Shuzo Ishizuchi "Midori Label Funeshibori" Junmai Ginjo Ehime Silver
Kojima Sohonten Toko "Dewanosato Junmai Ginjo Genshu" Yamagata Silver
Kokuryu Shuzo Kokuryu "Junmai Ginjo" Fukui Silver
Machida Shuzoten Machida Shuzo "Tokubetsu Junmai 55" Gunma Silver
Nagai Shuzo Mizubasho "Ginjoshu" Gunma Silver
Obata Shuzo Manotsuru "Junmai Ginjo" Niigata Silver
Okuizumo Shuzo "Senjunoizumi" Junmai Ginjo Shimane Silver
Rihaku Shuzo Rihaku "Omachi Genshu" Junmai Ginjo Shimane Silver
Sake One Corporation Momokawa "Ruby" Oregon Silver
Seitoku Meijo Seitoku "Ginjo" Gunma Silver
Shinozaki Kunigiku "Junmai Ginjo" Fukuoka Silver
Suzuki Shuzoten Hideyoshi "Akinota" Junmai Ginjo Akita Silver
Tenju Shuzo Tenju "Junmai Ginjo" Akita Silver
Tenzan Shuzo Shichida "Junmai Ginjo" Saga Silver
Yamagata Honten "Shoin" Junmai Ginjo Yamaguchi Silver
Yoshinogawa Gokujo Yoshinogawa "Ginjo" Niigata Silver

Junmai

Brewery Label Prefecture Award
Akita Shuzo Akitabare "Koshiki Junzukuri" Akita Gold
Dewazakura Shuzo Dewazakura "Ikko" Yamagata Gold
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Saga Gold
Kasumitsuru Kasumitsuru "Kimoto Junmai" Hyogo Gold
Kato Kichibee Shoten Born "Tokujo" Fukui Gold
Kurosawa Shuzo Kurosawa "Junmai Kimoto" Nagano Gold
Matsunoi Shuzojo Matsunoi "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Niigata Gold
Momokawa Murai Family "Tanrei Junmai Saké" Aomori Gold
Nanbu Bijin Nanbu Bijin "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Iwate Gold
Nishiyama Shuzojo Kotsuzumi "Tokubetsu Junmai" Hyogo Gold
Okunomatsu Shuzo Okunomatsu "Tokubetsu Junmai" Fukushima Gold
Otokoyama Honten "Sotenden" Tokubetsu Junmaishu Miyagi Gold
Sakai Shuzo "Kiokezukuri" Kimoto Junmai Yamaguchi Gold
Saura Urakasumi "Junmaishu" Miyagi Gold
Shindo Shuzoten Ura Gasanryu "Fuka" Yamagata Gold
Shirakabe Gura Shirakabe Gura "Shochikubai" Kimoto Junmai Hyogo Gold
Suehiro Shuzo Suehiro "Densho Yamahai Junmai" Fukushima Gold
Suminoe Shuzo "Sumi Tatoo" Tokubetsu Junmai Omachi Miyagi Gold
Suzuki Shuzoten Hideyoshi "Amakarapin" Junmaishu Akita Gold
Takeno Shuzo "Yasakatsuru Matsurikurabu" Kyoto Gold
Tanabe Shuzo Echizen Misaki "Junmaishu" Fukui Gold
Tenzan Shuzo Tenzan "Jizake" Saga Gold
Tohoku Meijo Hatsumago "Kimoto Junmaishu" Yamagata Gold
Yoshida Shuzoten Tedorigawa "Yamahai Jikomi Junmaishu" Ishikawa Gold
Yumegokoro Shuzo "Naraman" Muroka Binhiire Junmaishu Fukushima Gold
Aihara Shuzo Ugo no Tsuki "Tokubetsu Junmai" Hiroshima Silver
Fukuchiyo Shuzo Nabeshima "Kimoto Junmaishu" Saga Silver
Gekkeikan Sake USA, Inc. Gekkeikan "Black & Gold" California Silver
Hakkai Jozo Hakkaisan "Tokubetsu Junmai" Niigata Silver
Hakurei Shuzo Koden "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" Kyoto Silver
Imayotsukasa Shuzo Imayotsukasa "Junmai" Niigata Silver
Ishimoto Shuzo Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" Niigata Silver
Kasumitsuru Kasumitsuru "Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai" Hyogo Silver
Kato Kahachiro Shuzo Seishu Oyama "Meimon Akajunmai" Yamagata Silver
Kayashima Shuzo Nishinoseki "Tezukuri Junmaishu" Oita Silver
Kikuisami Kikuisami "Dewanosato Sanjurokuninshu" Yamagata Silver
Kinshihai Shuzo Yukikage "Tokubetsu Junmai" Niigata Silver
Kusumi Shuzo Kasumi "Kiyoizumi" Niigata Silver
Marumoto Shuzo Chikurin "Fukamari" Okayama Silver
Midorikawa Shuzo Five Seasons Rice Wine Niigata Silver
Miyasaka Jozo Miyasaka "Yawaraka Junmai" Nagano Silver
Nakashimaya Shuzojo "Kanenaka" Kimoto Junmai Yamaguchi Silver
Otokoyama Otokoyama "Yushutsu" Junmai Hokkaido Silver
Shirakabe Gura Shirakabe Gura "Tokubetsu Junmai" Hyogo Silver
Shirakabe Gura Shirakabe Gura "Kimoto Tokubetsu Junmai" Hyogo Silver
Tenju Shuzo Tenju "Junmaishu" Akita Silver
Tonoike Shuzoten Seishu Sanran "Junmaishu" Tochigi Silver
Yano Shuzo "Hizen Kuragokoro" Kimoto Junmaishu Saga Silver
Yonetsuru Shuzo Yonetsuru "Kappa Cho Karakuchi Tokubetsu Junmai" Yamagata Silver
Yoshikawa Toji no Sato "Tenkeiraku" Tokubetsu Junmai Niigata Silver
Yoshinogawa Yoshinogawa "Echigo Junmai" Niigata Silver

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