Kikusui 'Shiboritate' Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu Sake, Japan

Fresh, powerful, and distinctly savory, Kikusui Shiboritatenama Junmai Nama Genshu captures sake close to its freshly pressed state. Made entirely from Niigata-grown rice polished to 70%, it is both nama, meaning unpasteurized, and genshu, meaning bottled without dilution. The result is a concentrated Junmai with generous rice-derived flavor, balanced acidity, and a clean, crisp finish. At 17.5% ABV, it carries considerably more weight than a typical diluted sake while retaining the freshness that defines the style.

Product Details:

• Rice: 100% Niigata-grown rice
• Rice Polishing Ratio: 70%
• Ingredients: Rice and rice koji
• Pasteurization: None, nama sake
• Dilution: None, genshu
• Packaging: Aluminum can designed to protect the unpasteurized sake from light and air
• ABV: 17.5%

Sensory Description:

Gentle aromatics open into a rich, rounded palate centered on the natural flavor of rice and koji. Savory umami and subtle cereal and nut-like tones are balanced by lively acidity, giving the sake definition despite its concentration and 17.5% alcohol. The texture is full and smooth, with the undiluted genshu style lending breadth and intensity while the unpasteurized nama character preserves a sense of freshness. It finishes dry, sharp, and clean, leaving a satisfying combination of richness, acidity, and savory depth.

Producer’s Background:

Kikusui Sake Co. was founded in Niigata in 1881 and remains under the stewardship of the Takasawa family, currently led by fifth-generation president Daisuke Takasawa. Throughout its history, Kikusui has combined traditional sake brewing with an unusually strong interest in packaging, preservation, and new ways of presenting sake. That approach is especially relevant to its nama releases, where maintaining freshness is essential. Shiboritatenama Junmai Nama Genshu is bottled without pasteurization or dilution, preserving the richness and immediacy associated with freshly pressed sake. Its aluminum can is functional as well as distinctive, shielding the delicate contents from damaging light and limiting exposure to air while providing a compact format that chills quickly.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well chilled or over ice. Its combination of high flavor intensity, umami, acidity, and a crisp finish allows it to stand up to foods that can overwhelm more delicate sake. Kikusui recommends pairings including hamburgers, pizza, ramen, bulgogi, yakitori, and Chinese hot pot. It is also particularly well suited to gyoza, sweet-and-sour dishes, miso-based preparations, grilled meats, fried foods, and dishes with pronounced acidity. Keep refrigerated to preserve the freshness of this unpasteurized sake.