2014 U.S. National Sake Appraisal
Summary and Results
Dates: July 15–16, 2014
Place: Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Participating Judges
| Todd Eng |
Manager, Corkage (San Francisco Liquor Store) |
| Yukio Hamada |
Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association |
| Hisashi Fukuda |
National Research Institute of Brewing |
| Chris Johnson |
Sake Educator |
| Glenn Kawahara |
U.S. Sake Sensory Appraisal Seminar Graduate |
| Kazuo Masaki |
National Research Institute of Brewing |
| Naoto Okazaki |
Brewing Society of Japan |
| Ritsushi Ohdoi |
Hiroshima Prefectural Technology Research Institute, Food Technology Research Center |
| Masahiro Takeda |
Wine of Japan Import, Inc. |
| Ikuko Yasui |
Oboshi Okamura Co., Ltd. |
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 |
Saiya Shuzoten |
Akita |
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 Grand Prix awards in each category.
Daiginjo A
| Prize |
Brewery |
Prefecture |
Label |
| Grand Prix |
Wada Shuzo |
Yamagata |
“Meito Gassanmaru” Shizukutori Genshu Daiginjo |
| Second Grand Prix |
Momokawa |
Aomori |
Momokawa “Daiginjo Junmai” |
| Azuma no Fumoto Shuzo |
Yamagata |
Azuma no Fumoto “Daiginjo” |
Daiginjo B
| Prize |
Brewery |
Prefecture |
Label |
| Grand Prix |
Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Fukushima |
Okunomatsu “Sakura Daiginjo” |
| Second Grand Prix |
Momokawa |
Aomori |
Momokawa “Daiginjo” |
| Kamenoi Shuzo |
Yamagata |
Kudoki Jozu “Aiyama” Junmai Daiginjo |
Ginjo
| Prize |
Brewery |
Prefecture |
Label |
| Grand Prix |
Dewazakura Shuzo |
Yamagata |
Dewazakura “Oka Ginjo Yamadanishiki” |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Yamagata |
Dewazakura “Oka” Ginjo |
| Second Grand Prix |
Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Fukushima |
Okunomatsu “Adatara Ginjo” |
Junmai
| Prize |
Brewery |
Prefecture |
Label |
| Grand Prix |
Myoko Shuzo |
Niigata |
“Château Myoko” |
| Second Grand Prix |
Kawakei Shoten |
Miyagi |
Koganesawa “Yamahai Junmai” |
| Nanbu Bijin |
Iwate |
Nanbu Bijin “Tokubetsu Junmaishu” |
Daiginjo A Polishing ratio 40% or less
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Akita Seishu |
Kariho "Kaei" |
Akita |
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 |
| Fumigiku Shuzo |
Haneya "Daiginjo" |
Toyama |
Gold |
| Hakutsuru Shuzo |
Hakutsuru "Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Hakutsurunishiki" |
Hyogo |
Gold |
| Hakutsuru Shuzo |
Hakutsuru "Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Yamadanishiki" |
Hyogo |
Gold |
| Hakutsuru Shuzo |
Hakutsuru "Daiginjo Genshu Yamadanishiki" |
Hyogo |
Gold |
| Ishimoto Shuzo |
Koshi no Kanbai "Chotokusen" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Yume wa Masayume" (Born: Dreams Come True) |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Kikuisami |
Kikuisami "Hiden" Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Koimari Shuzo |
Koimari "Saki" Junmai Daiginjo |
Saga |
Gold |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Yumedono" Daiginjo |
Nagano |
Gold |
| Momokawa |
Momokawa "Daiginjo Junmai" |
Aomori |
Gold |
| Nanbu Shuzojo |
"Kyukyoku no Hanagaki" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Daiginjo Shizukusake "Juhachidai Ihee" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Seitoku Meijo |
Seitoku "Daiginjo" |
Gunma |
Gold |
| Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten |
Suzukagawa "Junmai Daiginjo Migaki Yonwari" |
Mie |
Gold |
| Suzuki Shuzoten |
"Shuppinshu Matsuemon" Daiginjo |
Akita |
Gold |
| Tentaka Shuzo |
Tentaka "Ginsho" Junmai Daiginjo |
Tochigi |
Gold |
| Tenzan Shuzo |
"Hitenzan" Daiginjo |
Saga |
Gold |
| Uchigasaki Shuzoten |
Hoyo "Yamadanishiki Daiginjo" |
Miyagi |
Gold |
| Wada Shuzo |
"Meito Gassanmaru" Shizukutori Genshu Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Gensui Shuzo |
Gensui "Daiginjo" |
Tottori |
Silver |
| Goto Shuzojo |
Seiun "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Mie |
Silver |
| Hakutsuru Shuzo |
Hakutsuru "Daiginjo Genshu Hakutsurunishiki" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Harada Shuzojo |
Sansha "Aberia" Daiginjo |
Gifu |
Silver |
| Hokusetsu Shuzo |
Hokusetsu "Koshitanrei" Junmai Daiginjo |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Hokusetsu Shuzo |
Hokusetsu "YK35" Daiginjo |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Imazato Shuzo |
Rokujuyoshu "Junmai Daginjo" |
Nagasaki |
Silver |
| Ippongi Kubo Honten |
"Ippo" |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Ishimoto Shuzo |
Koshi no Kanbai "Kinmuku" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Kamotsuru Shuzo |
Kamotsuru "Sokaku" Daiginjo |
Hiroshima |
Silver |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Tokusen" Junmai Daiginjo |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Nihon no Tsubasa" (Born: Wing of Japan) |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Kitaya |
Soden "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Fukuoka |
Silver |
| Kodama Jozo |
Taiheizan "Tenko" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Koimari Shuzo |
Koimari "Saki" Daiginjo |
Saga |
Silver |
| Kuge Honten |
Kurokui "Daiginjo" |
Oita |
Silver |
| Nanbu Bijin |
Nanbu Bijin "Daiginjo" |
Iwate |
Silver |
| Rokkasen |
Temahima "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Sakuramasamune |
Sakuramasamune "Oka Ichirin" Daiginjo |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Shindo Shuzoten |
Gasanryu "Gokugetsu" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Shinozaki |
Kunigiku "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Fukuoka |
Silver |
| Tanabe Shuzo |
Echizen Misaki "Daiginjo Gin no Shizuku" |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Tonoike Shuzoten |
Sanran "Daiginjo Shizukuzake" |
Tochigi |
Silver |
| Wakanoi Shuzo |
Wakanoi "Kanjikomi Daiginjo" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Yamagata Honten |
"Moriko" |
Yamaguchi |
Silver |
| Yoshida Shuzoten |
Tedorigawa "Iki na Onna" Daiginjo |
Ishikawa |
Silver |
Daiginjo B Polishing ratio 50% or less
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Aiyama" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Ichiro" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Gassan Shuzo |
Gassan "Daiginjo" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Gassan Shuzo |
Gassan "Junmai Daiginjo" (Gentei Jozo) |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Goto Shuzoten |
Benten "Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Dewasansan" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Kamenoi Shuzo |
Kudoki Jozu "Aiyama" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Kato Kahachiro Shuzo |
Oyama "Zuisho" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Gold" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Masuda Tokubee Shoten |
Tsuki no Katsura "Heiankyo" |
Kyoto |
Gold |
| Momokawa |
Momokawa "Daiginjo" |
Aomori |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Sakura Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Otokoyama Honten |
Sotenden "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Miyagi |
Gold |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
Yuki no Bosha "Daiginjo" |
Akita |
Gold |
| Saura |
Urakasumi "Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo" |
Miyagi |
Gold |
| Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten |
Zaku "Miyabi no Tomo" Nakadori |
Mie |
Gold |
| Shirakabegura, Takara Shuzo |
Shochikubai Shirakabegura "Daiginjo Muroka Genshu" |
Hyogo |
Gold |
| Tanabe Shuzo |
Echizen Misaki "Daiginjo" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Tohoku Meijo |
Hatsumago "Shozui" Junmai Daiginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Tonoike Shuzoten |
Sanran "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Tochigi |
Gold |
| Watarai Honten |
Dewanoyuki "Daiginjo" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Yoneda Shuzo |
Toyo no Aki "Tobindori" Daiginjo |
Shimane |
Gold |
| Fukuchiyo Shuzo |
Nabeshima "Aiyama" Junmai Daiginjo |
Saga |
Silver |
| Hamachidori |
Hamachidori "Gingingashikomi" Junmai Daiginjo |
Iwate |
Silver |
| Matsumoto Shuzo |
"Rissimo" |
Kyoto |
Silver |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Sanka" Junmai Daiginjo |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Murashige Shuzo |
Hinoshitamuso "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Yamaguchi |
Silver |
| Nagai Shuzo |
Mizubasho "Junmai Daiginjo" |
Gunma |
Silver |
| Nagurayama Shuzo |
Nagurayama "Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Silver |
| Nanbu Bijin |
Nanbu Bijin "Shinpaku" Junmai Daiginjo |
Iwate |
Silver |
| Ninki Shuzo |
Ninkiichi "Gold Ninki Junmai Daiginjo" |
Fukushima |
Silver |
| Nishida Shuzoten |
Nishida "Denshu Yonwarigobu" Junmai Daiginjo |
Aomori |
Silver |
| Shindo Shuzoten |
Gasanryu "Kisaragi" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Uchigasaki Shuzoten |
Hoyo "Kura no Hana" Junmai Daiginjo |
Miyagi |
Silver |
Ginjo
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Aoki Shuzo |
Kakurei "Junmai Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Asahi Shuzo |
Esshu "Satomomiji" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Oka Ginjo Yamadanishiki" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Dewasansan" Junmai Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Oka" Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Eiko Shuzo |
Shusen Eiko "Junmai Ginjo 50" |
Ehime |
Gold |
| Fumigiku Shuzo |
Haneya "Kirabi" Junmai Ginjo |
Toyama |
Gold |
| Goto Shuzojo |
Seiun "Hayate Kami no Ho" Junmai Ginjo |
Mie |
Gold |
| Imazato Shuzo |
Rokujuyoshu "Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki" |
Nagasaki |
Gold |
| Ishimoto Shuzo |
Koshi no Kanbai "Tokusen" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Kaba Shuzojo |
Shiramayumi "Hida no Ginjo Shikomi" |
Gifu |
Gold |
| Koimari Shuzo |
Koimari "Saki" Junmai Ginjo |
Saga |
Gold |
| Kubiki Shuzo |
Hakkei Kubiki "Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Miyao Shuzo |
Shimeharitsuru "Jun" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Momokawa |
"Sugidama" Ginjo Junmai |
Aomori |
Gold |
| Myoko Shuzo |
Koshi no Setsugekka "Junmai Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Nagurayama Shuzo |
"Yokikana" Junmai Ginjo |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Adatara Ginjo" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Rokkasen |
Yamahoshi "Junmai Ginjo" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
Yuki no Bosha "Junmai Ginjo" |
Akita |
Gold |
| Seitoku Meijo |
Seitoku "Ginjo" |
Gunma |
Gold |
| Suishin Yamane Honten |
Suishin "Tokusen Junmai Ginjoshu" |
Hiroshima |
Gold |
| Takeda Shuzoten |
Katafune "Junmai Ginjo" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Tenzan Shuzo |
Shichida "Junmai Ginjo" |
Saga |
Gold |
| Tokoyama Shuzo |
Jozan "Banshu Yamadanishiki" Junmai Ginjo |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Chiyokotobuki Toraya |
Chiyokotobuki "Junmai Ginjo" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Gassan Shuzo |
Gassan "Gassan no Yuki" Junmai Ginjo |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Gochoda Shuzo |
Azumaichi "Yamadanishiki Junmai Ginjo" |
Saga |
Silver |
| Iinuma Honke |
Kinoene "Yuga" Junmai Ginjo |
Chiba |
Silver |
| Imanishi Seibei Shoten |
Harushika "Junmai Ginjo Genshu" |
Nara |
Silver |
| Ishimoto Shuzo |
Koshi no Kanbai "Muku" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Kasumitsuru |
Kasumitsuru "Yamahai Ginjo Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Tokishirazu" |
Fukui |
Silver |
| Kinshi Masamune |
Kinshi Masamune "Junmai Ginjo" |
Kyoto |
Silver |
| Kitaya |
Soden "Junmai Ginjo" |
Fukuoka |
Silver |
| Kobe Shushinkan |
Fukuju "Junmai Ginjo" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Kojima Sohonten |
Toko "Ginjo" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Masuda Shuzoten |
Masuizumi "Junmai Ginjo" |
Toyama |
Silver |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Masumi "Kippuku Kinju" Junmai Ginjo |
Nagano |
Silver |
| Momokawa |
Momokawa "Ginjo Junmai" |
Aomori |
Silver |
| Nagayama Honke Shuzojo |
Taka "Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki" |
Yamaguchi |
Silver |
| Nakao Jozo |
Seikyo "Junmai Ginjo Omachi" |
Hiroshima |
Silver |
| Ninki Shuzo |
Ninkiichi "Kuroninki Junmai Ginjo" |
Fukushima |
Silver |
| Sakuramasamune |
Sakuramasamune "Kinmare" Junmai Ginjo |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Saura |
Urakasumi "Zen" Junmai Ginjo |
Miyagi |
Silver |
| Sekiya Jozo |
"Wa" Junmai Ginjo |
Aichi |
Silver |
| Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten |
Ise no Hana |
Mie |
Silver |
| Takara Sake USA Inc. |
Shochikubai "Rei" Junmai Ginjo Namachozo |
California |
Silver |
| Tenju Shuzo |
Tenju "Junmai Ginjo" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Watanabe Shuzoten |
Horai "Dento Karakuchi" Ginjo |
Gifu |
Silver |
| Yano Shuzo |
"Hizen Kuragokoro" Junmai Ginjo |
Saga |
Silver |
| Yoneda Shuzo |
Toyo no Aki "Sakanishiki Genshu" Junmai Ginjo |
Shimane |
Silver |
Junmai
| Brewery |
Label |
Prefecture |
Award |
| Asamai Shuzo |
Ama no To "Umashine" Tokubetsu Junmaishu |
Akita |
Gold |
| Chiyomusubi Shuzo |
Chiyomusubi "Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Tottori |
Gold |
| Dewazakura Shuzo |
Dewazakura "Ikko" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Hatsukame Jozo |
Hatsukame "Okabemaru" Junmai |
Shizuoka |
Gold |
| Kakuboshi |
"Mizutoriki Daiissho" |
Miyagi |
Gold |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Junmai 55" |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Kato Kichibee Shoten |
Born "Ginsen" Tokubetsu Junmaishu |
Fukui |
Gold |
| Kawakei Shoten |
Koganesawa "Yamahai Junmai" |
Miyagi |
Gold |
| Kikuisami |
Kikuisami "Dewanosato Sanjurokuninshu" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Kitaya |
Soden "Yamahai Jikomi" Tokubetsu Junmaishu |
Fukuoka |
Gold |
| Kobe Shushinkan |
Fukuju "Mikagego" Junmaishu |
Hyogo |
Gold |
| Miyasaka Jozo |
Miyasaka "Yawaraka Junmai" |
Nagano |
Gold |
| Murashige Shuzo |
Hinoshitamuso "Junmaishu" |
Yamaguchi |
Gold |
| Myoko Shuzo |
Myokosan "Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Myoko Shuzo |
"Château Myoko" |
Niigata |
Gold |
| Nagayama Honke Shuzojo |
Taka "Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Yamaguchi |
Gold |
| Nanbu Bijin |
Nanbu Bijin "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" |
Iwate |
Gold |
| Okuizumo Shuzo |
Okuizumo "Junmaishu" |
Shimane |
Gold |
| Okunomatsu Shuzo |
Okunomatsu "Tokubetsu Junmai" |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Saiya Shuzoten |
Yuki no Bosha "Yamahai Junmai" |
Akita |
Gold |
| Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten |
Zaku "Gen no Tomo" |
Mie |
Gold |
| Shindo Shuzoten |
Ura Gasanryu "Fuka" |
Yamagata |
Gold |
| Takeno Shuzo |
Yasakatsuru "Kamenookurabu 2013" |
Kyoto |
Gold |
| Yumegokoro Shuzo |
"Naraman" Muroka Binhiire Junmaishu |
Fukushima |
Gold |
| Asahi Shuzo |
Asahiyama "Junmaishu" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Gekkeikan Sake (USA), Inc. |
Gekkeikan "Black & Gold" |
California |
Silver |
| Goto Shuzoten |
Benten "Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu Dewa no Sato" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Imanishi Seibei Shoten |
Harushika "Umakuchi Yodanshikomi Junmaishu" |
Nara |
Silver |
| Imayotsukasa Shuzo |
"Tennensuijikomi Junmaishu" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Kasumitsuru |
Kasumitsuru "Kimoto Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Kato Kahachiro Shuzo |
Oyama "Tomizu" Tokubetsu Junmaishu |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Koimari Shuzo |
Koimari "Saki" Zenryo Yamadanishiki Junmaishu |
Saga |
Silver |
| Kojima Sohonten |
Toko "Junmai" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Kotobuki Toraya Shuzo |
Kajokotobuki "Junmai" |
Yamagata |
Silver |
| Mitsutake Shuzojo |
Mitsutake "Tezukuri Junmaishu" |
Saga |
Silver |
| Momokawa |
"Nebuta Tanrei Junmai" |
Aomori |
Silver |
| Myoko Shuzo |
Koshi no Setsugekka "Junmai" |
Niigata |
Silver |
| Niizawa Jozoten |
Atago no Matsu "Tokubetsu Junmai Sasanishiki" |
Miyagi |
Silver |
| Niizawa Jozoten |
Hakurakusei "Tokubetsu Junmaishu" |
Miyagi |
Silver |
| Sakai Shuzo |
Gokyo "Kiokezukuri" Kimoto Junmaishu |
Yamaguchi |
Silver |
| Saura |
Urakasumi "Junmaishu" |
Miyagi |
Silver |
| Sekiya Jozo |
"Beshi" Tokubetsu Junmai |
Aichi |
Silver |
| Shirakabegura, Takara Shuzo |
Shochikubai Shirakabegura "Kimoto Junmai" |
Hyogo |
Silver |
| Sohomare Shuzo |
Sohomare "Tokubetsu Kimoto" |
Tochigi |
Silver |
| Tenju Shuzo |
Tenju "Junmaishu" |
Akita |
Silver |
| Tsukasabotan Shuzo |
"Senchu Hassaku" |
Kochi |
Silver |
| Yoneda Shuzo |
Toyo no Aki "Suzume to Inaho" Tokubetsu Junmai |
Shimane |
Silver |
