1.Overview

The North Kyusyu (Kyushu) Sake and Shochu Awards are held annually by the Bureau under its jurisdiction (Fukuoka, Saga, and Nagasaki) with the aim of promoting advances in brewing technology and sake quality so as to assist the sound development of liquor industries.

The Awards drew 87 entries from 46 breweries in the Ginjo-shu category, 83 entries from 47 breweries in the Junmai-shu category, and 110 entries from 37 distilleries in the Honkaku Shochu category. Quality evaluations were conducted on October 19 (Junmai-shu), and October 21 and October 26 (Ginjo-shu), October 28 (Honkaku Shochu).

2.Method

Entries were assessed by quality evaluation on the following criteria.

Category criteria
Ginjo-shu Does it have the refined fragrance, harmonious flavor, and balance of taste and aroma expected of a Ginjo-shu?
Junmai-shu Does it have the rich taste and smoothness expected of a sake during the meal?
Honkaku Shochu Does it balance distinctiveness, aroma, and flavor considering the quality characteristics resulting from characteristics in ingredients (such as barley and rice), distilling methods, etc.?

3.Numbers of entries

(1) Ginjo-shu cateogry
Sub-category Ginjo-shu Junmai Ginjo-shu Total
Breweries Entries Breweries Entries Breweries Entries
Fukuoka 11(16) 16(23) 16(19) 23(31) 20(24) 39(54)
Saga 13(13) 14(18) 11(13) 17(19) 17(17) 31(37)
Nagasaki 6(7) 9(10) 7(9) 8(13) 9(10) 17(23)
Total 30(36) 39(51) 34(41) 48(63) 46(51) 87(114)

Numbers in previous year shown in parentheses (same as below)

(2) Junmai-shu category
Serving Temperature Warmed Normal Temperature Total
Breweries Entries Breweries Entries Breweries Entries
Fukuoka 12(17) 16(21) 18(19) 25(25) 22(25) 41(46)
Saga 7(6) 7(9) 16(12) 22(19) 17(15) 29(28)
Nagasaki 3(5) 3(6) 8(6) 10(7) 8(8) 13(13)
Total 22(28) 26(36) 42(37) 57(51) 47(48) 83(87)
(3) Honkaku Shochu category
Primary ingredient, etc. Barley Rice *Other ingredients ** Matured shochu Total
Distilleries Entries Distilleries Entries Distilleries Entries Distilleries Entries Distilleries Entries
Fukuoka 12
(13)
22
(22)

(8)

(9)
12
(15)
17
(22)
11
(11)
19
(17)
21
(20)
66
(70)
Saga
(3)

(4)

(2)

(3)

(3)

(4)

(0)

(0)

(4)
7
(11)
Nagasaki 11
(11)
17
(16)

(0)

(0)

(6)

(8)

(8)
12
(10)
14
(14)
37
(34)
Total 24
(27)
41
(42)

(10)
11
(12)
19
(24)
27
(34)
19
(19)
31
(27)
37
(38)
110
(115)

*Entries made primarily from other ingredients are broken down as follows (distilleries/entries):
sake cake(7/10), sweet potato(7/8), tea(2/3), sesame seeds(1/2), carrot(1/1), shiso(1/1), water chestnut(1/1), job's tears(1/1)
** Entries are broken down as follows (distilleries/entries):
barley(15/25),barley shochu stored in barrel(4/5), rice(1/1), sweet potato(3/3), chestnut(1/1), potato(1/1)

4.Result

For the names of the winners, etc., please refer to the attachment "List of Prize Winners".