NOGUCHI NAOHIKO
Brewery: Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Inc.
Founded: 2017
The Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute is named after one of the most legendary sake brewers in Japan, who is known as “the God of Sake Brewing.” In his eighties and still tirelessly working, Noguchi Naohiko is recognized as a living legend, with a career spanning more than seven decades. Opened in November 2017, the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute's goal is to immortalize Master Brewer Noguchi’s techniques, mentality, and vision, passing his wisdom on to the next generation of sake brewers who learn from and work with him each day
ISHIKAWA
Born to Be a Master Brewer
Mr. Naohiko Noguchi became a toji (Master Brewer) at just 28 and is celebrated as one of the Four Guardians of Heaven by the Noto Toji Guild. He played a vital role in reviving the traditional yamahai brewing method and has spent over 70 years crafting sake with the goal of bringing joy through quality.
Under his guidance, a new generation of brewers works closely with him, adapting to changing conditions and handling each step with care. Combining decades of Mr. Noguchi’s experience with modern technology, they create sake that’s not only excellent when freshly pressed but becomes even more refined with aging — a perfect blend of tradition and innovation.
PRODUCTS
Tasting Notes
A fragrance that evokes fruits such as lychee, papaya and pineapple, offering a mellow and fresh sweetness with a refreshing hint of sourness. Experience the clear and fresh flavor with a balance of sweet aroma and soft umami that produces elegance. It has a long and beautiful finish. Enjoy it with light and delicate Japanese cuisine, slightly chilled, in an aromatic vessel such as a wine glass.
Overview
Food Pairings: Dashi, Fatty seafood, Minerality, Natural ingredient flavor, Bitterness
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 17%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Lean with a strong yet smooth presence, this sake's savory, vegetal character comes with a sharp, dry finish & a long umami tail. Three years of in-brewery aging contributes notes of savory white miso & a hint of dried fruit to the forefront. Enjoy at any temperature.
Overview
Food Pairings: Dashi, Fatty seafood, Salty, Minerality
Specifications
Class: Futsushu
Style: Muroka, Genshu
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 65%
ABV: 20%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This is a seasonal product brewed to be a thin, cloudy "origarami" that looks like cherry blossoms petals dancing in spring. The sweet aroma of white peaches and cotton candy is captivating from the opening of the bottle, and as you sip it, the gentle flavor of rice spreads across your palate. The aftertaste has a refreshing acidity and bitterness like lemon peel and pairs well with dishes.
Overview
Food Pairings: Astringency, Bitterness, Spicy, Minerality
Specifications
Class: Honjozo
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60%
ABV: 19%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This is a commemorative new sake, the first to be brewed and the first to be squeezed. Fresh, sweet fruit aroma of young green apples. This product has a youthful citrus aroma, a fresh, clear, crisp taste, and a piquant gassy sensation. Since it is a new sake, there is a slight astringency, but it is a special taste that can only be enjoyed at this time each year. Serve chilled, not too cold, at around 10°C/50°F, in glassware.
Overview
Food Pairings: Minerality, Natural ingredient flavor, Astringency, Bitterness
Specifications
Class: Honjozo
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60%
ABV: 19%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
The sake has matured to become a sake that can be enjoyed at a wide range of temperatures. It has a dry expression when drunk cold or at room temperature. When it is warmed up to 40°C/104°F, the flavour swells and the aftertaste is mellow and the umami reaches its peak. When warmed further, the flavour sharpens to 55°C/131°F. The umami takes on the flavours of hot meat and fried food, while the sharpness in the throat helps to refresh the palate by cutting the fat. Enjoy it in the cold season at the temperature of your choice, with ceramic cup.
Overview
Food Pairings: Seafood, Dashi, Salty, Umami, Oil & Fatty, Creamy
Specifications
Class: Futsushu
Style: Muroka, Genshu, Seasonal, Limited
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: N/A
ABV: 20%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Since the establishment of The Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute in 2017, Brewmaster Noguchi developed a special edition of sake that has been carefully aged for limited release. For this particular sake, Brewmaster Noguchi himself created the special blend from multiple vintages made with multiple rice varieties, resulting in the one and only NOGUCHI NAOHIKO_01 Special Edition, a limited release of 888 bottles. The sake is bottled in crimson red glass, and the serial number (001/888) will be written on the accompanying tag, making it a rare and highly collectible item. This Yamahai-style sake uses high quality Omachi from Okayama Prefecture & Yamada Nishiki from Tojo Special A District, Hyogo Prefecture. The sake is characterized by its fresh lychee-like aroma, full umami enhanced by the aging process, elegant acidity, and a long finish. Its rich umami makes it an excellent partner to sweeter foods such as dried fruits.
Overview
Food Pairings: Dried Fruit, Caviar, Salami.
Specifications
Class: Unclassified
Style: Genshu, Yamahai
Rice: Omachi, Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: N/A
ABV: 18%
Size: 770ml
Brewery Profile
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Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
The 2018 vintage is a commemorative vintage of the 70th year since Mr. Noguchi, known as the “the God of Sake Brewing ”, started his career of sake brewing. This sake is bottled from the single best batch of the entire season, as selected by Mr. Noguchi himself. We introduce this Limited Edition; in which special aging techniques and processes have also been thoroughly undertaken. Please enjoy this ultimate taste which transcends time and borders.
Overview
Food Pairings: Fatty seafood, Minerality, Natural ingredient flavor, Salty
Specifications
Class: Futsushu
Style: Muroka, Genshu
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: Undisclosed
ABV: 18%
Size: 770ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
The palate is filled with a full aroma derived from the rice with sweetness and acidity. The aftertaste is pleasantly slightly bitter. The sweetness and acidity are enhanced when stored in the refrigerator, and the synergy with food can be enjoyed more fully when served at room temperature or warmed to a lukewarm temperature of about 40°C/104°F.
Overview
Food Pairings: Fatty seafood, Dashi, Salty, Umami
Specifications
Class: Futsushu
Style: Muroka, Genshu
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 65%
ABV: 19%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This sake is made with a local rice nearby the brewery. A fragrance reminiscent of Oriental flowers that is mild and calms. When you try this sake there is a fine, silky, smooth mouthfeel as well as a slightly milky richness. The finish is short and crisp. The sweetness is enhanced at room temperature and mellowness increases at 42°C/108℉.
Overview
Food Pairings: Dashi, Acidity, Sweetness, Umami, Fatty seafood
Specifications
Class: Junmai
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60%
ABV: 17%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This sake has minerality and is reminiscent of pears. When you take a sip, it has a fresh and refined mouthfeel and spreads its sweet taste and rich flavor across the palate. It goes down well and refreshes. This sake has exquisite balance of all elements. It can be served at a wide range of temperatures, not only cold sake at around 10°C/50°F. It can also be served at room temperature or 42°C /108°F, and can be paired with a wide variety of dishes.
Overview
Food Pairings: Minerality, Dashi, Seafood
Specifications
Class: Honjozo
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60%
ABV: 18%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
The aroma is fresh muscat, with melon-like nuances. On the palate, it has a light umami flavor, round and soft acidity, and a moderately bitter aftertaste that goes well with summer foods. Enjoy it well chilled in a glass sake cup.
Overview
Food Pairings: Minerality, Natural ingredient flavor, Salty, Citrusy
Specifications
Class: Futsushu
Style: Muroka, Nama, Seasonal, Limited
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 65%
ABV: 17%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Refreshing sour fragrance recalls strawberry. When you take a sip, it has a fresh, clean, sweet umami and crispiness from gentle acidity like yogurt that produces elegance. The finish is longer but crisp at last. At 12℃/54℉, you will enjoy its fruity flavor, and at 42℃/108℉, you will enjoy its creaminess and pleasant acidity.
Overview
Food Pairings: Sweetness, Acidity, Umami, Creamy, Sauce
Specifications
Class: Ginjo
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu, Yamahai
Rice: Aiyama
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 55%
ABV: 19%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Sweet and sour aroma recalls orange peel. When you try this sake, you can feel a soft, creamy flavor, a slightly sour richness, and a gentle acidity. In contrast to heavy, thick flavors it has an exquisite finish in the throat. It can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from near room temperature to 50°C/122°F.
Overview
Food Pairings: Oil & Fatty, Creamy, Sauce, Chinese cuisine
Specifications
Class: Junmai
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu, Yamahai
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 65%
ABV: 19%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This sake has a citrus aroma with refreshing acidity and the scent of lush mountains. When you have a sip the balance of umami and acidity with a soft mouthfeel is pleasant. It feels refreshing -- like herbs in the throat -- and has an elegant, clean finish.
Overview
Food Pairings: Salty, Minerality, Citrusy, Seafood
Specifications
Class: Ginjo
Style: Muroka, Nama, Genshu, Yamahai
Rice: Miyama Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 55%
ABV: 19%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This light and smooth shochu displays intense aromatics reminiscent of Noguchi Institute's Ginjo sake, and the palate retains a gentle rice-derived flavor laden with fruit and spice, ending in a robust and reverberant finish that allows the drinker to enjoy the sake-like notes without any distinctive sweetness. Enjoy neat in a grappa glass, chilled, on the rocks, or in the mixed drink of your choice. Indeed, the institute suggests to blend white wine and Sakekasu Shochu at an 8:2 ratio, or to combine sparkling water and their shochu at 8:2 and add a squeeze of Japanese citrus such as sudachi, kabosu or yuzu, or even to add sansho pepper sprout to make a luxurious Japanese-style mojito.
Overview
Food Pairings: Motsunabe (giblets hot pot), Dishes using Miso, Pecorino, Romano Cheese, Ajillo, Paella
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Kasutori
Main Ingredient: Sake Kasu
Type of Koji: Yellow Koji
Distillation Method: Single DistillationAged: 2 Years or More
ABV: 38%
Size: 720ml
Tasting Notes
Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo is the symbol of Toji Noguchi Naohiko. Combining the technique of Yamazukuri and Daiginjo, both of which have been refined by Toji Noguchi since the 1960s, Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo has a supreme taste that combines the deep, rich flavor and elegant acidity of Yamahai with the sublime aroma and clarity of Daiginjo. The flavor profile offers notes of custard cream and ripe banana, with subtle hints of Comté cheese and grains. Its texture is smooth, with a soft, full-bodied richness, leaving a delicate aftertaste of caramel and nuts. The sake is beautifully balanced with a mineral finish and an abundance of umami.
Overview
Food Pairings: A soft and smooth texture. Best paired with ingredients low in fat, such as chicken or white fish. The matured flavor of the sake pairs especially well with savory, roasted notes like those of sesame.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Style: Yamahai
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 18%
Size: 750ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
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