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 |
