KATO KICHIBEE SHOTEN
Brewery: Kato Kichibee Shoten
Founded: 1860
Originally operating as a money exchange business and very deeply involved in the affairs of the community, in 1860 the village headman and founder became involved in sake brewing. For eleven generations, they have carried the Kichibee name, and in 1866 registered the name as a trademark. In Sanskrit, "Born" is translated roughly as purity/striking truth, and represents the brewery's strong belief in second changes and karmic rewards for hard work. In the beginning of the Showa era, the emperor used Born sake for Japan's ceremonies, festivals, and guests as Japan's representative brand.
FUKUI
PRODUCTS
Tasting Notes
Born Gokuhizo was originally produced in 1968 with a rice polishing ratio of 40%, which translates to a 20-30% polishing ratio by today's standards. This was an incredible feat at the time since rice polishing technology was not as advanced as it is today, and breweries were submitting competition-grade sake with a 50% polishing ratio to the Annual Japan Sake Awards. Born Gokuhizo was the first Junmai Daiginjo sake commercially available in Japan in 1968. Born Gokuhizo is currently produced with a 35% rice polishing ratio due to improvements in rice polishing technology. A splendid and elegant mélange of fresh and dried fruits, florals, spices, and earthiness on the nose. Smooth, round, and lush on the palate with a broad structure. Impact after impact, this sake carries the unique complexities characteristic of Born sake. This sake is a masterpiece that showcases the prestige of its historical brewery.
Overview
Food Pairings: Dishes prepared with butter, cheese and/or olive oil, as well as Japanese cuisine.
Awards:
- 2002 - 14th International Sake Festival, Sake Art Award & 1st Place Grand Prix
- 2022 - International Wine Challenge, Gold
- 2023 - Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Best of Class
- 2023 - Texsom Awards, Gold
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 35%
ABV: 16%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This unfiltered sake is aged for one year at -10℃ and has a pale gold color with refreshing acidity. Serve chilled in a large wine glass to accentuate its deep, refreshing flavors. It has a smooth texture that expands on the mid-palate and offers an elegant mouthfeel, finishing with a dry note.
Overview
Food Pairings: It is an excellent match for delicate Japanese cuisine as well as dishes made with butter, cheese, and olive oil.
Awards:
Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2023 - Best of Class
Texsom Awards 2023, 2022 - Gold
Feminalise World Wine Competition 2022, 2021 - Gold
CINVE 2021 (Spain) - Grand Gold
Las Vegas Global Wine Awards 2021 - Best Sake
Texsom Awards 2021 - Judges' Selection Medal
Kura Master 2020 (France) - Platinum Prize
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Special AAA Grade Yamada Nishiki
Style: Muroka
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
A richly flavorful sake with a robust body characteristic of unprocessed sake, yet imbued with a fragrant aroma and the fresh, seasonal taste sealed within – a truly 'full-bodied and savory' delight.
Overview
Food Pairings: A dish that pairs wonderfully with everything from Japanese to Western cuisine. It also goes perfectly with desserts and cheese à la carte, adding a vibrant touch to your table.
Awards:
2014 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition: Best of Class (Highest Gold Award)
2015 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition: Best of Class (Highest Gold Award)
2017 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition: Best of Class (Highest Gold Award)
2019 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition: Best of Class (Highest Gold Award)
2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition: Double Gold Medal (Highest Gold Award)
2022 Las Vegas Global Wine Awards: Best Sake (Top Award in Sake Category)
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 17%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
It has a sublime and wonderful aroma, yet is gentle and soft, with depth and presence, making for an impressive taste.
Overview
Food Pairings: White fish, carpaccio, cheese dishes, dishes using extra virgin olive oil
Awards:
12th (2000) International Sake Festival (London, UK): 1st Grand Prix
TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2016: Award of Excellence (1st in the world)
IWC (International Wine Challenge) 2016: Fukui Junmai Daiginjo Trophy
Delicious Sake in a Wine Glass Awards 2018: Grand Gold Award
London Sake Challenge 2019: Platinum Award
Milan Sake Challenge 2022: Double Gold Award Las Vegas Global Wine Awards 2022: Platinum Award
SFIWC (San Francisco International Wine Competition) 2022: Double Gold Medal (Grand Gold Award)
2023 Los Angeles International Wine Competition: Best of Class (Grand Gold Award)
2024 Los Angeles International Wine Competition: Best of Class (Grand Gold Award)
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Special AAA Grade Yamada Nishiki
(Kakemai: Special AAA Grade Yamada Nishiki / Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 35%
ABV: 16%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Aged for a full five years at -5 degrees Celsius - the ultimate Junmai Daiginjo sake. It's massive aroma and flavorful personality are kept partially subdued with a sinfully silky mouthfeel. Has an interesting, cleanly cut finish, despite the richness.
Overview
Food Pairings: Delicate Japanese Dishes, Dishes cooked with Butter, Cheese and Olive Oil.
Awards:
2003 All Japan Alcohol Competition #1 Prize
2008 Sacramento Sake Festival Imported Sake MVP
2012 USA Sake Competition Top Gold Prize
2014 Good in Wine Glass, Gold Prize
2014 Los Angeles International Wine and Spirit Competition Gold Medal
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Style: Aged
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 35%
ABV: 16%
Size: 1000ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Born's Special Junmai Daiginjo, aged for a minimum of two years at 0℃. Medium-bodied satin-like mouthfeel, and boasts the mature fragrance of grapefruits. Delightfully debonair.
Overview
Food Pairings: Delicate Japanese Dishes, Dishes cooked with Butter, Cheese and Olive Oil.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 38%
ABV: 16%
Size: 720ml, 300ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Refreshing Ginjo aroma with a rounded flavor and clean finish.
Overview
Food Pairings: Pairs very well with delicate Japanese cuisine, as well as dishes using Butter, Cheese, or Olive Oil.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 15%
Size: 300ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
The ultimate Junmai Daiginjo sake made from 100% contract-grown Yamada Nishiki from Hyogo Prefecture's Special Area A, handmade with 20% milling, and aged at -10°C for 5 years. The wonderful aroma and deep taste are truly impressive, and are the gems of sake that represent Japanese sake culture.
Overview
Food Pairings: Fish and meat dishes in general (whether Japanese, Western or Chinese)
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 20%
ABV: 16%
Size: 720ml
Tasting Notes
The characteristic features are a translucent aroma and a deep yet refreshing taste with a strong presence.
Overview
Food Pairings: Delicate Japanese cuisine: Dishes made with butter, cheese, olive oil, etc.
Awards:
2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition: Double Gold Medal (Highest Gold Award)
2022 San Francisco International Wine Competition: Double Gold Medal (Highest Gold Award)
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Special AAA Grade Yamada Nishiki
(Kakemai: Special AAA Grade Yamada Nishiki / Gohyakumangoku)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 35%
ABV: 15%
Size: 500ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
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