TATENOKAWA SHUZO
Brewery: Tatenokawa, Inc.
Founded: 1832
Founded in 1832 in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, the brewery has dedicated itself exclusively to producing Junmai Daiginjo sake since 2010. It is the first brewery in the world to create sake with rice polishing ratios of 18%, 8%, and even 1%, setting new benchmarks for craftsmanship and innovation. Serving an esteemed clientele that includes Michelin-starred restaurants and Forbes Travel Guide-rated luxury hotels across Japan and around the globe, the brewery has established a distinguished presence in the international luxury market.
YAMAGATA
"Working tirelessly to make delicious sake and become the world's leading sake brand."
Since its establishment in 1832, Tatenokawa has focused on consistently and thoroughly delivering quality products. In order to sustain their growth as a company, they remain steadfast in delivering the same quality in spite of what turbulent times may arise. They continue to make every effort to make their own unique contribution to the development of Japanese food, culture, and agriculture.
PRODUCTS
Tasting Notes
A richly indulgent fruit liqueur that melts the heart as well as the palate. BAR Yoko presents a "drinkable dessert", a well-deserved treat for those who have worked hard. Crafted with an abundance of renowned Alphonso mango, celebrated as the "King of Mangoes," and delicately enhanced with sake, this luscious liqueur delivers an irresistibly smooth, velvety texture and intensely concentrated fruit flavor. Each sip bursts with the juicy sensation of biting into a perfectly ripe fresh mango, while its rich natural sweetness brings a sense of pure indulgence and satisfaction. Enjoy on the rocks.
Overview
Food Pairings: Takoyaki, Shirmp Ceviche, Sweet Chili Chicken Wings, Curry, Pad Thai, Braised Pork Belly
Specifications
Alcohol Base: Junmai Daiginjo Sake
Ingredients: Mango
ABV: 8%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
Soube Wase is an ancient rice varietal revived from 150 years ago. It offers an understated aroma of steamed rice, elegant pear, and white flowers, but drinks deep yet transparent, rich but profoundly exquisite on the palate. The supple acidity and crisp minerality allow you to enjoy the beauty of this rice variety in every sip. Soube Wase is highly suitable for aging. Expect more rice mellowness, grounding complexity and calming umami.
Overview
Food Pairings: Wide range of omakase, Sushi, Tempura, Wagyu, Carpaccio, Green Vegetables, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Lobster, Cheese, Shiso Ponzu, Grilled Chicken, BBQ, etc.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Soube Wase
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 45%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
Using the locally grown Dewasansan sake rice and only native Yamagata Kobo, Tatenokawa achieves an elegant sake with surprising complexity and energy. Relatively high acidity with a grapefruit peel-like aroma and flavor. Just the right amount of sweetness offers balance and leads every sip into a refreshing finish.
Overview
Food Pairings: Certainly worth drinking on its own, this bottle would be great with a wide range of dishes. Nothing too heavy - I would avoid fatty meat or heavily smoked dishes, but lightly grilled fish, vegetables and poultry would be great, as would raw fish and vegetable preparations. The acidity gives it a little wiggle room, so definitely experiment!
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Dewasansan
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 33%
ABV: 15%
Size: 300ml, 720ml
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Tasting Notes
The aroma calls clearly to ripe melon. On the palate, a bit of sweetness, gentle umami and soft acidity, but with a long finish that is well balanced and elegant. Begs to be served in a wine glass in order to fully experience it's unique aromas. As for the temperature, we recommend 5°C to 12°C - served right out of the fridge. Enjoy the change in flavor as the temperature changes! The flavor of the sake may not fully open up immediately after opening the bottle. In this case, it is recommended to keep the bottle in the fridge and allow it to air for 2-3 days after opening.
Overview
Food Pairings: It goes well with simply seasoned Japanese food, fresh vegetables, fresh fish, shellfish like a oysters, and sushi.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yuki Megami
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 18%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
The rice is polished to a mere 2mm, achieving a perfect balance of pristine clarity, rich depth, and delightful rice flavor. Take your time to savor the exquisite roundness and profound aftertaste of this premium sake.
Overview
Food Pairings: It is recommended to pair with kaiseki and other fine dishes. The umami and lingering finish will delight your taste buds. You can enjoy the sake on its own, or try it with selected beans and Kyoto tofu. You will be amazed at how perfectly it complements these flavors. For a unique experience, try pairing it with different types of cheese or dried foods.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 8%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
[Rice Polish Ratio 1% Remaining]
Achieving what no other sake brewery in history was able to accomplish, this rare and extremely limited bottling by Tatenokawa Shuzo of Yamagata Prefecture was the first and only sake of its kind. Many questioned the necessity of toppling the challenge of brewing sake with rice grains polished to 1%, but it was precisely because there existed a challenge to overcome which other brewers could not crack that Toji Junpei Sato, Tatenokawa Shuzo's master sake brewer, rose to respond. What he then found could only be experienced when attempting to brew with these incredibly special 1% rice grains. The name "Komyo'' is a wish to "surpass unprecedented challenges and open doors to new experiences in the bright, yet-unimagined world of Sake". We humbly invite the curious to luxuriate in the transcendence and satisfaction brought forth by this sake made in this unbelievable new world.
Overview
Food Pairings: N/A
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamagata Dewasansan
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 1%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
The alcohol content is on the slightly lower side at around 14% and characterized by a light and soft mouthfeel with a refreshing aroma reminiscent of fresh fruits. Polished to 50%, this sake, made from Yamagata’s sake rice “Dewa Sansan,” offers a clean and refined quality with a gentle and soft taste, making it an ideal choice for those trying sake for the first time.
Overview
Food Pairings: Carpaccio, oysters, and sake-steamed clams
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Dewasansan
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 14%
Size: 300ml, 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
This sake uses rice polished down to 18% of the original grain size - the highest polishing ratio in the entirety of Japan. Furthermore, instead of blending the brewer only bottles the best portion of the pressed sake (called the "nakadori") as it holds the best flavor. With magnificent aromatics and a complex, brilliant flavor, Tatenokawa 18 is the essence of luxury. A true gem.
Overview
Food Pairings: Sushi, Sashimi
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 18%
ABV: 15%~16%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
Tatenyan (who is modeled after an actual cat who lives at the brewery) is Tatenokawa's official mascot. One day she snuck into the brewery as a stray and has lived there ever since. With a reserved aroma, well balanced rice umami and a round flavor, Tatenyan Junmai Daiginjo is great served chilled or at room temperature with sushi, sashimi, or grilled fish. This sake also pairs well with sparsely seasoned meat dishes like pork shabu shabu and yakitori with salt."
Overview
Food Pairings: Tatenyan Junmai Daiginjo is great served chilled or at room temperature with sushi, sashimi, or grilled fish. This sake also pairs well with sparsely seasoned meat dishes like pork shabu shabu and yakitori with salt.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Omachi
Rice-Polishing Ratio: N/A
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
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Tasting Notes
We chose the recently revived rice “Soubei Wase” for the first NEHAN series, which contributes to the unique flavor of this sake. It took us over three years to revive this rice variety which was originally native to the Shonai Region; it is the parent of legendary heirloom rice strain “Kame no O”. This sake has a gentle and delicate floral aroma and a soft sweetness. Soubei Wase does not have the ‘flashiness’ of more recently developed sake rice; rather, it gives you a sense of refined rustic beauty. We believe the charm and taste this historic sake rice provides will deepen and mature over time, and thus sake made from it are excellent for aging. We hope you enjoy this sake imagining how the flavors developed with maturation, what it tasted like freshly brewed and how it will be in years to come.
Overview
Food Pairings: Grilled vegetables, lighter styles of pasta dishes, or for Japanese cuisine, spinach with karashi-su-miso, and fresh sashimi.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Soubei Wase
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 18%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Midnight Blue is said to be inspired by the “Pop” side of the band, and displays a gentle mouthfeel & delicate, balanced twinge of sweetness, awakening the palate, permeating the body & begging for another sip. Led by Dave Grohl, a known as lover of sake, this exclusive collaboration reflects the band’s tastes. This special Junmai Daiginjo features a unique brewing method that involved playing Foo Fighters songs during the crucial fermentation process. Inspired by the title of their 10th album “Medicine at Midnight”, this sake is named “HANSHO” which translates to “Midnight Blue” in Japanese. Sato Junpei, CEO & 6th generation brewer of Tatenokawa is an enormous Foo Fighters fan, and his dream has come true through this special collaboration with the band!
Overview
Food Pairings: Lighter fare, including Sushi and Sashimi, Grilled Fish, Salads & dishes enhanced by exotic, aromatic spice.
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Dewasansan
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 15-16%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Midnight Silver is said to be inspired by the “Rock” side of the band - firm and well-structured, it expresses lofty flavor and classic Omachi characteristics of lemongrass, pineapple, marjoram & dried black cherry, with a sharp and clean aftertaste. Led by Dave Grohl, a known as lover of sake, this exclusive collaboration reflects the band’s tastes. This special Junmai Daiginjo features a unique brewing method that involved playing Foo Fighters songs during the crucial fermentation process. Inspired by the title of their 10th album “Medicine at Midnight”, this sake is named “HANSHO” which translates to “Midnight Blue” in Japanese. Sato Junpei, CEO & 6th generation brewer of Tatenokawa is an enormous Foo Fighters fan, and his dream has come true through this special collaboration with the band!
Overview
Food Pairings: Rich Foods, Cream Sauces, Cheese, Burrata with Olive Oil & Salted Tomatoes, Fried Dishes & more. Highly versatile with food!
Specifications
Class: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Omachi
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 15-16%
Size: 720ml
Tasting Notes
Crafted with an exceptionally generous amount of Yamagata La France pear and delicately accented with a touch of sake, this luxurious liqueur showcases the fruit’s most celebrated qualities: its elegant floral aroma and remarkably rich, silky texture. The pear’s gorgeous flavor is captured in a luscious, full-bodied taste that is as fresh and juicy as biting into the fruit itself. With each sip, refined sweetness spreads gracefully across the palate, delivering a deeply satisfying and decadent experience. Enjoy it well chilled on the rocks to savor its rich concentration, or with sparkling water to highlight its fragrant, aromatic character.
Overview
Food Pairings: Chawanmushi, Negihama Roll, Beer Battered Fish Tacos, Salmon Skin Salad
Specifications
Alcohol Base: Junmai Daiginjo Sake
Ingredients: La France Pear
ABV: 8%
Size: 720ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
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