2011 U.S. National Sake Appraisal
Summary and Results
Dates: September 7–8, 2011
Place: Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Participating Judges
| Shuji Koizumi |
President, Koizumi Shoten |
| Hiroyoshi Ishigaki |
Chief Researcher, Yamagata Research Institute of Technology |
| Masaru Hosaka |
Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture |
| Katsumi Matsumaru |
Director, Safety and Quality Research Division, National Research Institute of Brewing |
| Hanae Izu |
Chief Researcher, Safety and Quality Research Division, National Research Institute of Brewing |
| Chris Johnson |
Sake Educator |
| Darrell Corti |
President, Corti Brothers, Wine Judge and Consultant |
| Paul Tanguay |
Beverage Consultant, Tippling Brothers |
| Monica Samuels |
Sake Ambassador, Southern Wine and Sprits |
| Miwa Wang |
Manager, True Sake |
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 |
Ishimoto Shuzo |
Niigata |
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 |
Shirakabe Gura |
Hyogo |
Shirakabe Gura “Daiginjo” |
| Second and Third Grand Prix |
Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Fukushima |
Okunomatsu “Junmai Daiginjo” |
| Hokusetsu Shuzo |
Niigata |
Hokusetsu “Koshitanrei” Junmai Daiginjo |
Daiginjo B
| Prize |
Brewery |
Prefecture |
Label |
| Grand Prix |
Momokawa |
Aomori |
Murai Family “Daiginjo Saké” |
| Second and Third Grand Prix |
Ninki Shuzo |
Fukushima |
Ninkiichi “Gold Ninki Junmai Daiginjo” |
| Takeda Shuzoten |
Niigata |
Katafune “Junmai Daiginjo” |
Ginjo
| Prize |
Brewery |
Prefecture |
Label |
| Grand Prix |
Dewazakura Shuzo |
Yamagata |
Dewazakura “Oka Ginjo Yamadanishiki” |
| Second and Third Grand Prix |
Dewazakura Shuzo |
Yamagata |
Dewazakura “Omachi” Junmai Ginjo |
| Momokawa |
Aomori |
Murai Family “Sugidama Saké” |
Junmai
| Prize |
Brewery |
Prefecture |
Label |
| Grand Prix |
Murashige Shuzo |
Yamaguchi |
Hinoshitamuso “Junmaishu” |
| Second and Third Grand Prix |
Rokkasen |
Yamagata |
Rokkasen “Godanshikomi Junmai-12” |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Fukui |
Born “Tokujo” |
Daiginjo A Polishing ratio 40% or less
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Azuma no Fumoto Shuzo |
Azuma no Fumoto "Daiginjo" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Daiichi Shuzo |
Kaika "Daiginjoshu" |
Tochigi |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Daiginjo" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Goto Shuzoten |
Benten "Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Dewasansan 35%" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Hokusetsu Shuzo |
Hokusetsu "Koshitanrei" Junmai Daiginjo |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Yume wa Masayume" (Born: Dreams Come True) |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Kikuisami |
Kikuisami "Hiden" Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Kojima Sohonten |
Toko "Daiginjo Fukurotsuri Bingakoi" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Morishima Shuzo |
Taikan "Hizoshu" |
Ibaraki |
Gold |
| Nagai Shuzo |
Mizubasho "Daiginjo" |
Gunma |
Gold |
| Nagurayama Shuzo |
Nagurayama "Kanpyokai Shuppinshu" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Nanbu Shuzojo |
"Kanpyokaiyo Shikomi" Daiginjo |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Daiginjo Shizukusake "Juhachidai Ihee" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Seitoku Meijo |
Seitoku "Daiginjo" |
Gunma |
Gold |
| Shirakabe Gura |
Shirakabe Gura "Daiginjo" |
Hyogo |
Gold |
| Tanabe Shuzo |
Echizen Misaki "Daiginjo Gin no Shizuku" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Tentaka Shuzo |
Tentaka "Ginsho" Junmai Daiginjo |
Tochigi |
Gold |
| Tonoike Shuzoten |
Sanran "Daiginjo Shizukuzake" |
Tochigi |
Gold |
| Yoshikawa Toji no Sato |
Yoshikawa Toji "Daiginjo" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Akita Seishu |
Kariho "Ginsenju" Junmai Daigino |
Akita |
Silver |
| Akita Seishu |
Kariho "Shugetsu" Junmai Daigino |
Akita |
Silver |
| Asahi Shuzo |
Dassai "Junmai Daiginjo Migaki Niwari Sanbu" (Dassai 23) |
Yamaguchi |
Silver |
| Gensui Shuzo |
Gensui "Daiginjo" |
Tottori |
Silver |
| Goto Shuzoten |
"Shuchurakuko" Tokusen Daiginjo Genshu |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Hamachidori |
Hamachidori "Daiginjo" |
Iwate |
Silver |
| Kamoizumi Shuzo |
Kamoizumi "Junmai Daiginjo Senbonnishiki Bingakoi" |
Hiroshima |
Silver |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Tokusen" Junmai Daiginjo |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Kodama Jozo |
Taiheizan "Tenko" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Konishi Shuzo |
"Matsumidori" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Yumedono" Daiginjo |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Ninki Shuzo |
Ninkiichi "Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Silver |
| Otokoyama Honten |
Sotenden "Daiginjo" |
Miyagi |
Silver |
| Saito Shuzo |
Eikun "Ichigin" Junmai Daiginjo |
Kyoto |
Silver |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
"Akita Sake Komachi" Daiginjo |
Akita |
Silver |
| Sakuramasamune |
"Oka Ichirin" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Sanwa Shuzo |
Garyubai "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Shizuoka |
Silver |
| Shimizu Jozo |
Zaku "Daichi" Daiginjo |
Mie |
Silver |
| Takenotsuyu |
Hakurosuishu "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Tenju Shuzo |
Chokai "Daiginjo" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Wada Shuzo |
"Meito Gassanmaru" Shizukutori Genshu Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Silver |
Daiginjo B Polishing ratio 50% or less
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Ichiro" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Gassan Shuzo |
Gassan "Uedaya" Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Kamenoi Shuzo |
Kudoki Jozu "Aiyama" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Momokawa |
Murai Family "Daiginjo Saké" |
Aomori |
Gold |
| Ninki Shuzo |
Ninkiichi "Gold Ninki Junmai Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Sakura Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
Yuki no Bosha "Daiginjo" |
Akita |
Gold |
| Sohomare Shuzo |
Sohomare "Kimoto Shikomi Junmai Daiginjo" |
Tochigi |
Gold |
| Suishin Yamane Honten |
Suishin "Kiji Meiyo" Junmai Daiginjo |
Hiroshima |
Gold |
| Takeda Shuzoten |
Katafune "Daiginjo" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Takeda Shuzoten |
Katafune "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Tanabe Shuzo |
Echizen Misaki "Daiginjo" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Tonoike Shuzoten |
Sanran "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Tochigi |
Gold |
| Uchigasaki Shuzoten |
Hoyo "Kura no Hana" |
Miyagi |
Gold |
| Akita Seishu |
Dewatsuru "Hishonomai" Daiginjo |
Akita |
Silver |
| Aoki Shuzo |
Kakurei "Daiginjo" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Higashiyama Shuzo |
Konteki "Daiginjo" |
Kyoto |
Silver |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Gold" |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Kurosawa Shuzo |
Kurosawa "Junmai Daiginjo Premium Reserve" |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Mado no Ume Shuzo |
"Hana no Yoi" Junmai Daiginjo |
Saga |
Silver |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Nanago" Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Sanka" Junmai Daiginjo |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Morishima Shuzo |
Taikan "Daiginjo" |
Ibaraki |
Silver |
| Saito Shuzo |
Eikun "Koto Sennen" Junmai Daiginjo |
Kyoto |
Silver |
| Saura |
Urakasumi "Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo" |
Miyagi |
Silver |
| Shindo Shuzoten |
Gasanryu "Kisaragi" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Tajima Shuzo |
Fukuchitose "Fuku" |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Tenju Shuzo |
Chokaisan "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Tohoku Meijo |
Hatsumago "Shozui" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Yaegaki Shuzo |
"Mu" Junmai Daiginjo |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Yoshida Shuzoten |
Tedorigawa "Yamahai Jikomi Junmai Daiginjo" |
Ishikawa |
Silver |
Ginjo
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Oka Ginjo Yamadanishiki" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Oka" Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Eiko Shuzo |
Shusen Eiko "Junmai Ginjo 50" |
Ehime |
Gold |
| Fukuchiyo Shuzo |
Nabeshima "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo |
Saga |
Gold |
| Fukuchiyo Shuzo |
Nabeshima "Summer Moon" |
Saga |
Gold |
| Gassan Shuzo |
Gassan "Gassan no Yuki" Junmai Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Iinuma Honke |
"Yuga" Junmai Ginjo |
Chiba |
Gold |
| Imanishi Seibei Shoten |
Harushika "Junmai Ginjo Sake" |
Nara |
Gold |
| Kaba Shuzojo |
Shiramayumi "Ginjo" |
Gifu |
Gold |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Tokishirazu" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Kojima Sohonten |
Toko "Dewanosato Junmai Ginjo Genshu" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Machida Shuzoten |
Machida Shuzo "Junmai Ginjo 50" |
Gunma |
Gold |
| Momokawa |
Murai Family "Sugidama Saké" |
Aomori |
Gold |
| Nakano BC |
"Chochokyu 22BY Binkan" Junmai Ginjo |
Wakayama |
Gold |
| Ninki Shuzo |
Ninkiichi "Kuroninki Junmai Ginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Nishida Shuzoten |
Nishida "Kikuizumi" |
Aomori |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Adatara Ginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
Yuki no Bosha "Hiden Yamahai" |
Akita |
Gold |
| Seitoku Meijo |
Seitoku "Ginjo" |
Gunma |
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 |
| Watanabe Shuzoten |
Horai "Kaden Tezukuri" Junmai Ginjo |
Gifu |
Gold |
| Yano Shuzo |
"Hizen Kuragokoro" Junmai Ginjo |
Saga |
Gold |
| Akita Seishu |
"Seiden Omachi 55" Junmai Ginjo |
Akita |
Silver |
| Aoki Shuzo |
Kakurei "Junmai Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Daiichi Shuzo |
Kaika "Kaze no Ichirin" Junmai Ginjoshu |
Tochigi |
Silver |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Dewasansan" Junmai Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Goto Shuzojo |
Seiun "Hayate Kami no Ho" Junmai Ginjo |
Mie |
Silver |
| Hakkai Jozo |
Hakkaisan "Junmai Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Hakuro Shuzo |
Koshi "Junmai Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Hinomaru Jozo |
"Beni Mansaku" Junmai Ginjo |
Akita |
Silver |
| Hinomaru Jozo |
Manabito "Kimoto Junmai Ginjo" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Ishimoto Shuzo |
Koshi no Kanbai "Kinmuku" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Ishimoto Shuzo |
Koshi no Kanbai "Tokusen" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Kasumitsuru |
Kasumitsuru "Yamahai Shikomi Ginjo" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Kojima Sohonten |
Toko "Ginjoshu" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Kojima Sohonten |
Toko "Junmai Ginjo DEWA33" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Bessen Kinju" Junmai Ginjo |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Karakuchi Ki-Ippon" Junmai Ginjo |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Myoko Shuzo |
Koshi no Setsugekka "Junmai Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Nagai Shuzo |
Mizubasho "Ginjoshu" |
Gunma |
Silver |
| Nakashimaya Shuzojo |
Kotobuki "Seito no Shizuku" |
Yamaguchi |
Silver |
| Rokkasen |
Yamahoshi "Junmai Ginjo" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
Yuki no Bosha "Junmai Ginjo" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Saura |
Urakasumi "Zen" |
Miyagi |
Silver |
| Seitoku Meijo |
Seitoku "Junmai Ginjo" |
Gunma |
Silver |
| Sohomare Shuzo |
Sohomare "Junmai Ginjo" |
Tochigi |
Silver |
| Suzuki Shuzoten |
Hideyoshi "Akinota" Junmai Ginjo |
Akita |
Silver |
| Tajima Shuzo |
Fukuchitose "Toku" |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Tamanohikari Shuzo |
Tamanohikari "Yamahai Junmai Ginjo" |
Kyoto |
Silver |
| Tenju Shuzo |
Tenju "Junmai Ginjo" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Tonoike Shuzoten |
Sanran "Junmai Ginjo" |
Tochigi |
Silver |
Junmai
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Ikko" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Fujinishiki Shuzo |
Fujinishiki "Ao Label" Junmaishu |
Shizuoka |
Gold |
| Gassan Shuzo |
Gassan "Junmai" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Hamachidori |
Hamachidori "Junmaishu" |
Iwate |
Gold |
| Honke Matsuura Shuzojo |
Narutotai "Ukareahou no Awaodori" Junmai |
Tokushima |
Gold |
| Ishimoto Shuzo |
Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Kato Kahachiro Shuzo |
Seishu Oyama "Tomizu" Tokubetsu Junmaishu |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Tokujo" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Kizakura |
"Kimoto Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmaishu Yamada Nishiki" |
Kyoto |
Gold |
| Machida Shuzoten |
Machida Shuzo "Tokubetsu Junmai 55" |
Gunma |
Gold |
| Masuda Tokubee Shoten |
Tsuki no Katsura "Asahimai" Junmaishu |
Kyoto |
Gold |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Okuden Kantsukuri" Junmai |
Nagano |
Gold |
| Momokawa |
Murai Family "Tanrei Junmai Saké" |
Aomori |
Gold |
| Murashige Shuzo |
Hinoshitamuso "Junmaishu" |
Yamaguchi |
Gold |
| Nanbu Bijin |
Nanbu Bijin "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" |
Iwate |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Rokkasen |
Rokkasen "Godanshikomi Junmai-12" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Sekiya Jozo |
Horaisen "Beshi" Tokubetsu Junmai |
Aichi |
Gold |
| Shindo Shuzoten |
Ura Gasanryu "Fuka" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Shirakabe Gura |
Shirakabe Gura "Shochikubai" Kimoto Junmai |
Hyogo |
Gold |
| Suzuki Shuzoten |
Hideyoshi "Amakarapin" Junmai |
Akita |
Gold |
| Takara Sake USA Inc. |
Shochikubai "Classic" |
California |
Gold |
| Tenju Shuzo |
Tenju "Junmaishu" |
Akita |
Gold |
| Tenzan Shuzo |
Tenzan "Jizake" |
Saga |
Gold |
| Tohoku Meijo |
Hatsumago "Kimoto Junmaishu" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Yoshikawa Toji no Sato |
"Tenkeiraku" Tokubetsu Junmai |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Yumegokoro Shuzo |
"Naraman" Muroka Binhiire Junmaishu |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Akita Shuzo |
Akitabare "Koshiki Junzukuri" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Fujinishiki Shuzo |
Fujinishiki "Homarefuji" Tokubetsu Junmai |
Shizuoka |
Silver |
| Fukuchiyo Shuzo |
Nabeshima "Kimoto Junmaishu" |
Saga |
Silver |
| Imayotsukasa Shuzo |
Imayotsukasa "Wakimizu Shikomi" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Kasumitsuru |
Kasumitsuru "Kimoto Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Kasumitsuru |
Kasumitsuru "Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Kojima Sohonten |
Toko "Junmaishu" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Kotobuki Toraya Shuzo |
Kajokotobuki "Yamagata Selection" Junmai |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Kurosawa Shuzo |
Kurosawa "Junmai Kimoto" |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Matsunoi Shuzojo |
Matsunoi "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Mioya Shuzo |
Yuho "Junmaishu" |
Ishikawa |
Silver |
| Nagurayama Shuzo |
"Akagawara" |
Fukushima |
Silver |
| Nakao Jozo |
Seikyo "Junmai Takehara" |
Hiroshima |
Silver |
| Nishiyama Shuzojo |
Kotsuzumi "Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
Yuki no Bosha "Yamahai Junmai" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Sakai Shuzo |
"Kiokezukuri" Kimoto Junmaishu |
Yamaguchi |
Silver |
| Shimizu Jozo |
Zaku "Ho no Tomo" |
Mie |
Silver |
| Shirakabe Gura |
Shirakabe Gura "Kimoto Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Shirakabe Gura |
Shirakabe Gura "Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Tanaka Sake Brewery Inc. |
"Chuko" |
Okayama |
Silver |
| Ume Ichirin Shuzo |
Ume Ichirin "Junmaishu" |
Chiba |
Silver |
| Yano Shuzo |
"Hizen Kuragokoro" Kimoto Junmaishu |
Saga |
Silver |
| Yonetsuru Shuzo |
Yonetsuru "Kappa Cho Karakuchi Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Yoshida Shuzoten |
Tedorigawa "Yamahai Jikomi Junmaishu" |
Ishikawa |
Silver |
