Kokuryu
“If we make good sake, people will support it.” That’s been our motto since Kokuryu was founded in 1804 in the mountains of Fukui. It’s an ancient land, nestled between snowy peaks and the Sea of Japan, not far from the main Soto Zen temple Eihei-ji. From a long tradition of sake brewing, Kokuryu today stands as one of the region’s few survivors. We grow our own rice. We seek out special yeasts. And we strive for the best in brewing and maturation, hand-crafting only the highest-caliber sakes in small batches.
Kokuryu Daiginjo Ryu
After the founder returned from France, he applied wine aging to sake and released it in 1975. At the time, it was the most expensive sake in Japan, which was a turning point for the brewery. It was also the first in the industry to use the now-common expression "Daiginjo”. At that time, a label with a dragon stamped in gold foil was used on the sake bag used to press the sake.
THis Daiginjo is fruity and soft with the notes of apple, peach, melon and strawberry. Fermented at low temperature, it is mellow with pleasant acidity and umami. Mildly dry and crisp, it is easy-drinking and delicious. REMARKS: The sake has been pasteurized, so it can be delivered at room temperature. However, cold temperature is suggested for long-term storage.
Recommended way to drink: 5°C to 10°C
Tasting Notes: Well-rounded, gently aromatic and surprisingly incisive.
Grade: Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice Polishing Ratio: 40% rice polishing
Nihonshu-do (SMV): +4
Kokuryu Daiginjo
Using one of the most popular production methods, this sake expressed itself in its fullest, with a rich and fruity aroma. This is one of the best selections of daiginjo made in the cold season.
Crystal Dragon is made from domestically grown rice in a gradual low-temperature fermentation process. Kokuryu’s proprietary yeast gives it a graceful aroma and clean taste.
This sake is immensely popular as a gift.
Recommended way to drink: Chill to 5 - 10 degree Celsius
Tasting Notes: Fresh, fruity and smooth.
Grade: Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice Polishing Ratio: 50% rice polishing
Nihonshu-do (SMV): +4
Kokuryu Kansha
This is a limited edition Junmai Daiginjo which uses SAKAHOMARE rice from Fukui. With an aroma of fresh melon, this saké portrays a multi-layered sweetness of rice with an elegant and transparent taste profile. It is stamped with the “gratitude” of seal engraver Mr. Inamura Inamura, and is used as a mark of Junmai Daiginjo brewed with “Sakahomare” sake rice produced in Fukui.
This is the perfect saké to express your gratitude to someone else (or yourself).
Recommended way to drink: 8°C to 10°C
Rice Polishing: 40%
SMV: +4.0
Rice: Sakahomare
Kokuryu Daiginjo 1800ml
Using one of the most popular production methods, this sake expressed itself in its fullest, with a rich and fruity aroma. This is one of the best selections of daiginjo made in the cold season.
Crystal Dragon is made from domestically grown rice in a gradual low-temperature fermentation process. Kokuryu’s proprietary yeast gives it a graceful aroma and clean taste.
This sake is immensely popular as a gift.
Recommended way to drink: Chill to 5 - 10 degree Celsius
Tasting Notes: Fresh, fruity and smooth.
Grade: Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice Polishing Ratio: 50% rice polishing
Nihonshu-do (SMV): +4
Kokuryu Fuku Daiginjo Yamadanishiki
This Daiginjo-shu is best drunk warm. While premium Daiginjo are usually not drunk warm, Kuzuryuu Daiginjo was created in 2004 as a Daiginjo specially for warm sake. Enjoy it warm for a deep, refined flavor that has matured over time. It has a gorgeous aroma characteristic of daiginjo-shu, and an elegant and delicate aroma.
Recommended way to drink: 5°C to 10°C
Tasting Notes: Intense and concentrated ginjo aroma, clear and delicate flavour with hints of sweetness on the palate, medium bodied.
SMV: +4.0
Rice: Yamadanishi 山田錦
Kokuryu Daiginjo Ryu 1800ml
After the founder returned from France, he applied wine aging to sake and released it in 1975. At the time, it was the most expensive sake in Japan, which was a turning point for the brewery. It was also the first in the industry to use the now-common expression "Daiginjo”. At that time, a label with a dragon stamped in gold foil was used on the sake bag used to press the sake.
THis Daiginjo is fruity and soft with the notes of apple, peach, melon and strawberry. Fermented at low temperature, it is mellow with pleasant acidity and umami. Mildly dry and crisp, it is easy-drinking and delicious. REMARKS: The sake has been pasteurized, so it can be delivered at room temperature. However, cold temperature is suggested for long-term storage.
Recommended way to drink: 5°C to 10°C
Tasting Notes: Well-rounded, gently aromatic and surprisingly incisive.
Grade: Daiginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice Polishing Ratio: 40% rice polishing
Nihonshu-do (SMV): +4
Kokuryu Kuzuryu Daiginjo (Gohyakumangoku) 1800ml
This Daiginjo-shu is best drunk warm. While premium Daiginjo are usually not drunk warm, Kuzuryuu Daiginjo was created in 2004 as a Daiginjo specially for warm sake. Enjoy it warm for a deep, refined flavor that has matured over time. It has a gorgeous aroma characteristic of daiginjo-shu, and an elegant and delicate aroma.
Recommended way to drink: either 5°C to 10°C or 40°C to 45°C
Tasting Notes: Fresh, fruity, and smooth when cold, Round and fuller bodied when warm.
Grade: Daiginjo
Rice: Fukui Gohyakumangoku
Rice Polishing Ratio: 50% rice polishing
Nihonshu-do (SMV): +4
Acidity: 1.0
Kokuryu Kuzuryu Eto Junmai Daiginjo
The Chinese zodiac sign for the year of 2022 is Tiger, which comes around once every 36 years and is said to be a year of strong luck. The tiger is known for its good luck, as it is said to "go a thousand miles and come back a thousand miles," meaning that what goes away will come back.
To celebrate the start of the new year, we have bottled freshly pressed Junmai Daiginjo sake in a bottle with the Chinese zodiac sign written by the late Dr. Inamura Undo, who supported the Kokuryu Brewery since its early days of ginjo brewery.