Nanbu Bijin Shuzo
Brewery: Nanbu Bijin Co., LTD.
Founded: 1902
The brewery was established in 1902, and the Nanbu Bijin brand name came to be in 1951. The Iwate area used to be called Nanbu (South), and is a place rich with nature, abundant water, and fertile soil. In Japan, most breweries of the time made quite rough, inelegant, sweet sake, but this brewery wanted to make clean & beautiful sake like a fair southern maiden. Hence, the name Nanbu Bijin, or Southern Beauty.
IWATE
The Underground Water of Iwate
Although the brewery was founded in 1902, the brand "Nanbu Bijin" was created in 1951 by the then head of the Ninohe tax office and the late Hideo Kuji, the former chairman of our company. At a time when sweet sake with low rice polishing and many unpleasant flavors was the norm nationwide, the brand "Nanbu Bijin" was created with the desire to "make a clean and beautiful sake." Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, has long been known as the "Nanbu Country," and is a land blessed with wonderful nature, climate, and abundant water. For this reason, the brand was named "Nanbu Bijin" after the place name Nanbu and the image of clean and beautiful sake quality.
They use plenty of underground water from the prefectural natural park Orizume Basenkyo. This underground water is medium-hard water, and the calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium promote the growth and fermentation of yeast and koji, resulting in a sake with a strong flavor and rich body.
PRODUCTS
Tasting Notes
Nanbu Bijin’s Yuzushu is a citrus infused sake featuring a generous blend of yuzu and lemon, delivering a bright, aromatic finish. The natural sweetness from the koji balances the refreshing acidity of the citrus. Its crisp, palate-cleansing character makes it a versatile match for both Japanese and Western dishes. Enjoy it on its own or paired with a wide range of cuisines.
Overview
Food Pairings: Salted motsunabe, grilled fish, ceviche, rare cheese
Specifications
Alcohol Base: Sake
Ingredients: Yuzu
ABV: 9％
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
One of the best sake from Nanbu Bijin, featuring a gorgeous aroma of fresh and juicy orange, melon, pear, and zesty pineapple. The fruitiness follows through to the palate with the refreshing flavor of apples and the umami-rich sweetness of rice come together in a long-lasting, beautiful, and clean finish. An elegant sake for special celebrations as well as everyday meals. Served in the first-class cabin of Japan Airlines.
Overview
Food Pairings: White Fish Sashimi, Oysters, Delicate Shrimp, Steamed Fish, Poached Chicken, Soba Noodles, Olives.
Awards:
2018 - Sake Competition Junmai Daiginjo Category, Gold
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 35%
ABV: 16%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Aromas of fresh citrus, ripe fruits, medicinal herbs, and charming florals transport you to a Farmer’s Market. This sake carries a velvety texture alongside the gentle sweetness and umami of rice. Hints of green, herbaceous, and peppery notes peek out on the palate. The sharp, clean finish and savory notes make this sake extremely compatible with food pairings! From fruits to fish, this sake will be your go-to for meals.
Overview
Food Pairings: Sashimi, Sardines, Rich Fish (fishy or fatty), Pork, Motsuni, Stewed Tomatoes, Rosemary, Leafy Vegetables, Root Vegetables, Fruit Salad, Fruit Sauces.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Ginjo
Rice: Miyama Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
Gentle aromas of chestnuts and steamed sweet potatoes accompany this sharp, crisp, and full-bodied sake has a synergistic effect with a variety of dishes from around the world. The convenient aluminum can protects the sake from light damage and makes it easy to take it anywhere and for any occassion. Elegant and beautiful sake from start to finish, as expected from Nanbu Bijin.
Overview
Food Pairings: Stewed Dishes, Boiled Tofu, Yuba (Tofu Skin), Ceviche, and Vinegared Bluefish (Anchovies, Sardines, Tuna, Mackerel, etc).
Awards:
2021 International Wine Challenge - Silver
Specifications
Class: Ginjo
Rice: Miyama Nishiki & Others
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60%
ABV: 15%
Size: 180ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
This very special bottle was originally conceived by the 5th generation current brewery owner Kosuke Kuji and the late legend brewmaster Hajime Yamaguchi. After graduating from the Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kuji San attempted to make his first daiginjo with the master toji but failed. Embarrassed that his first daiginjo was horrible, he hid the sake deep in the refrigerator. When it resurfaced 10 years later, he found that his daiginjo had evolved beautifully. A well-structured Daiginjo with a silky mouthfeel and elegantly clean finish. The subtle notes of fuji apple, white peach and musk melon dance around the nose and play a lively game of contrast against the delicate grain and spice notes that are hidden on first impression. This sake is then produced using a time consuming shizuku method where drops of sake are collected through gravity versus being pressed, it is then aged in 1.8L bottles for 10 years before final bottling. Nanbu Bijin brewery makes limited releases of this sake only available to select restaurants in the U.S.
Overview
Food Pairings: None.
Specifications
Class: Daiginjo
Style: Aged
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 35%
ABV: 17%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
The brainchild of the current brewery head. Generally sake is brewed with 20% Komekoji (Koji-inoculated rice) and 80% regular steamed rice. Komekoji is extremely volatile and requires a skillful hand to produce even a small amount. Hours of effort go into each batch. However, one day it occurred to the brew master - would it be possible to brew good Sake using 100% Komekoji? As this unique, special sake is thick, sweet, and overladen with acidity and umami, Nanbu Bijin All Koji can be enjoyed on the rocks, diluted with water, and mixed with fruits sangria style. It boasts a deep amber color and the various vintages can be aged at home to enjoy the different stages of development.
Overview
Food Pairings: Chicken Liver, Foie Gras, Citrus.
Specifications
Class: Junmai
Rice: Miyama Nishiki, Toyo Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 65%
ABV: 15-16%
Size: 500ml
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Tasting Notes
Made with local Yuinoka rice milled down to 45%, lending the sake a delicate floral aroma and an exceptionally clean taste. Dry, juicy and full of umami.
Overview
Food Pairings: White Fish
Specifications
Class: Daiginjo
Rice: Yuinoka
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 40%
ABV: 16-17%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
Made from 100% Yamada Nishiki rice, the label was designed to evoke the image of a single grain of this pure white Sakamai (sake rice). Has an elegant Ginjo aroma, an a pillowy mouthfeel. Splendidly balanced.
Overview
Food Pairings: White Fish Sashimi, Grilled Fish, Soup with Dashi, Nabe Hotpot.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 16-17%
Size: 1800ml (CA Only), 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Nanbu Bijin's Signature Brand, which uses locally grown Ginotome rice. Rich but refreshing, and long lasting with a subtle velvety texture, as well as their savory umami on the mid palate. There is an intensity of aromas including quality rice notes, fruity, floral, and grainy characters, along with marshmallows. Neat, clean, and crafted to pair with a wide range of food, excellent at any temperature.
Overview
Food Pairings: Toro Tuna / Yellowtail / Cream Sauce
Award: IWC 2017 Champion Sake
Specifications
Class: Tokubetsu Junmai
Rice: Ginotome
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 55%
ABV: 15%
Size: 180ml, 300ml, 720ml, 1800ml
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Tasting Notes
Pure and elegant with delicate, aromatic notes of mandarin, pineapple and grapefruit zest. Long and complex.
Overview
Food Pairings: Yakitori(Tare), Grilled Chicken
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Miyama Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 16%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This sparkling sake has aromas of apple and peach. It's dry style is supported by flavor of stone fruit on the palate elegant with a clean finish.
Overview
Food Pairings: Camembert cheese, Oyster, Prosciutto and Jamon Serrano
Specifications
Class: -
Style: Sparkling
Rice: -
Rice-Polishing Ratio: -
ABV: 12%
Size: 360ml CA only, 720ml
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Tasting Notes
This sake has soft textures that stand in direct contrast against a unique intensity of flavor – dark, rich splashes of malted barley and honey with echoes of shiitake, walnut and cacao. Calls for feasting, as well as to be served warm - recommended to serve as high as 60 degrees Celsius but delicious at any temperature and agreeable to additional aging.
Overview
Food Pairings: Meat, Oily Dishes, Western Cuisine etc.
Specifications
Class: Junmai
Rice: Miyama Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml, 1800ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Nanbu Bijin’s No Sugar Added Umeshu is crafted using only green (unripe) ume plums infused into their signature “All Koji” Junmai Sake. Unlike most Umeshu, no sugar is added. The gentle sweetness is derived from the natural sugars produced from the koji. The result is refreshingly tart with a balanced sweetness and a beautiful rose color, bright acidity that complements a wide range of dishes.
Overview
Food Pairings: Cheese, California Roll, Confit
Specifications
Alcohol Base: All Koji Sake
Ingredients: Ume
ABV: 9-10％
Size: 300ml, 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
In response to the decrease in sake demand (hence a decrease in rice demand) during the start of the coronavirus, Nanbu Bijin ventured into spirit production using the rice they contracted with farmers for their sake and putting it towards vodka instead.An exceptionally smooth and appealing vodka with a light citrus aroma. Iwate Prefecture produces the highest amount of charcoal in Japan. Kuji City, next to Ninohe City in Iwate Prefecture, is renowned for its particularly active charcoal production, and boasts the Hiraniwa Highland which is said to be the largest birch forest in Japan. Charcoal made from the local birch is used in the production of Nanbu Bijin’s Craft Vodka. Nanbu Bijin preserves the umami and mellowness derived from rice while the use of the birch charcoal sharpens the pure flavor.
Overview
Food Pairings: Perfect for cocktails, herbed and spiced dishes, citrus, light and rich dishes
Specifications
Type: Vodka
Region: Iwate
Distillery: Nanbu Bijin
Aging: N/A
Barrel Type: N/A
ABV: 40%
Size: 200ml, 700ml
Tasting Notes
It offers a pleasant, subtle ginjo aroma and a flavor reminiscent of biting into a sweet, ripe pear, gliding smoothly across the palate. This is a well-balanced Junmai Daiginjo, crafted entirely from the rare "Sake Mirai" rice variety.
Overview
Food Pairings: White-fleshed fish sashimi, grilled fish, and seasonal vegetable tempura
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Sake Mirai
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 16%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
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