November 12, 2020
Office of Analysis and Brewing Technology
Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau
(1) Purpose
The Tohoku Sake Awards (Tohoku Seishu Kanpyokai) are held annually in the autumn under the auspices of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau. The purpose of this competition is to raise the technical level of sake brewers in the Tohoku region (i.e., Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures), thereby contributing to the sound development of the sake brewing industry in Japan.
(2) Review of 2020
The Tohoku Sake Awards generally showcases sake brewers possessing the best brewing techniques in Japan, whose high-quality sake has been brewed with great care during the winter, and meticulously managed and matured during summer.
This year, 147 sake breweries in the Tohoku region's six prefectures entered 221 samples from 134 breweries in the ginjo-shu category, and 158 samples from 122 breweries for the junmai-shu category.
The ginjo-shu category showcased well-balanced sakes with gorgeous fruity aromas and a smooth, rich taste. In the junmai-shu category, various kinds of ingredient rice were used, and the sakes had rich personality and flavor.
Many breweries were damaged when the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 devastated the Tohoku region. However, all of the sakes entered in the Sake Awards are of a very high quality and signify the huge progress being made toward recovery by sake breweries in the Tohoku region. The breweries have also affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, but we strongly believe that they will overcome these trials.
(1) Qualification for entry
Licensed sake breweries located within the jurisdiction of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau (i.e., Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures)
(2) Eligible sakes
Sakes from the below-mentioned categories that were produced from the entrant’s own production site located within the jurisdiction of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau during the brewing year of 2019.
(3) Categories
Ginjo-shu and Junmai-shu, as stipulated in the “Labeling Standard for the Manufacturing Process and Quality of Sake” (NTA notice #8 in 1989)
(4) Number of entries permitted
Each licensed sake brewery can submit up to three entries in total for the two categories. However, the number of entries for one category cannot be more than two.
(1) Schedule
-Preliminary examination: October 6-7, 2020
-Final examination: October 9, 2020
(2) Process
The jurors assess the quality of each sample by sensory evaluation. All examinations are blind and administered by category. In the preliminary examinations, each sample is examined for individual attributes to clarify a sensory profile and overall evaluation is given based on a five-step scoring method. After this preliminary process, the highest scoring entries are selected for the final examination. In the final examination, the chosen sakes are evaluated by a three-step scoring method.
(3) Evaluation policy
Overall quality is determined based on the following style-based categories:
- Ginjo-shu: well-balanced flavor, characteristic aroma, and delicate taste
- Junmai-shu: refined flavor with umami (savoriness) and round texture
(4) Quality evaluation jurors
Jurors were selected from a pool of experts, including:
- Academics in the field of sake brewing
- Staff members from the National Research Institute of Brewing (NRIB)
- Staff members from prefectural brewing-related organizations
- Sake experts and manufacturers recommended by the prefectural sake and shochu makers’ associations of the Tohoku region
- Technical officers from the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau
List of Jurors 2020
Name | Affiliations | Participating Examinations |
---|---|---|
OGURA AKIRA | AOMORI PREFECTURAL INDUSTRIAL | GP, JP |
TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER, | ||
SAITO TOMOAKI | HIROSAKI INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | GF, JF |
SATO TAKUMI | HATOMASAMUNE CORPORATION | GP, JP |
ADACHI KAORU | NISHIDASYUZOUTEN CO., LTD. | GF, JF |
SATO NARUHIDE | IWATE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | GP, JP |
YONEKURA YUICHI | GF, JF | |
FURUDATE RYUNOSUKE | AKABUSHUZO CO., LTD. | GP, JP |
ONO HIROMI | HIROTASHUZOUTEN | GF, JF |
HASHIMOTO KENYA | INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, | GP, JP |
MIYAGI PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT | ||
ITO KENJI | MIYAGI SAKE AND SHOCHU MAKERS ASSOCIATION | GF, JF |
SATO KIYOSHI | ICHINOKURA CORPORATION HONSHAKURA | GP, JP |
HIRAI TAKAHIRO | HIRAKOU CORPORATION | GF, JF |
UEHARA TOMOMI | AKITA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND BREWING | GP, JP |
SHINDO SHO | GF, JF | |
KURIBAYASHI NAOAKI | KURIBAYASHI BREWING&CO. | GP, JP |
KUDOH SHINPEI | YAMAGATA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | GP, JP |
ISHIGAKI HIROYOSHI | GF, JF | |
WADA SHIGEKI | WADASHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | GP, JP |
WATARAI TOSHIHITO | WATARAI SAKE BREWING CO., LTD. | GF, JF |
TAKAHASHI RYO | AIZUWAKAMATSU TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTRE | GP, JP |
SUZUKI KENJI | FUKUSHIMA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE | GF, JF |
SATOU KENSHIN | MINENOYUKI. CO | GP, JP |
SHINJO SOICHI | TATSUIZUMISHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | GF, JF |
JOHN GAUNTNER | SAKE WORLD,INC. | GF, JF |
SAM ANDERBERG CALLON | NIIZAWA BREWERY CO., LTD. | GF, JF |
KANAUCHI MAKOTO | MIYAGI UNIVERSITY | GF, JF |
AKAO TAKESHI | NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF BREWING | GF, JF |
MUTO AKINORI | OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU |
GP, JP, GF, JF |
IHARA SHINJI | GP, JP, GF, JF | |
AKUTSU TAKEHIRO | GP, JP GF, JF | |
NOSE MASAKI | GP, JP, GF, JF |
Abbreviations: GP, Ginjo-shu preliminary ex.; JP, Junmai-shu preliminary ex.; GF, Ginjo-shu final ex.; JF, Junmai-shu final ex.
Entrants earning high scores in the final examination for each category are awarded an honor prize. The number of recipients of this prize is limited, and only those placing in the top one-third of all entrants in each category are eligible. Among entrants receiving honor prizes, the “Grand Honor Prize” is awarded to those placing first in each category, and the “Special Honor Prize” to those placing second or third. Certificates are then presented to each of the prizewinners by the commissioner of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau.
The event will not be held this year due to COVID-19.
(1) Number of Entries
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Aomori | 21 (12) | 15 (12) | 36 (14) |
Iwate | 16 (12) | 16 (12) | 32 (13) |
Miyagi | 35 (20) | 21 (17) | 56 (23) |
Akita | 35 (25) | 40 (26) | 75 (27) |
Yamagata | 55 (32) | 33 (27) | 88 (35) |
Fukushima | 59 (33) | 33 (28) | 92 (35) |
Total | 221 (134) | 158 (122) | 379 (147) |
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries
(Previous Year)
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Aomori | 22 (12) | 12 (11) | 34 (13) |
Iwate | 21 (13) | 19 (14) | 40 (15) |
Miyagi | 38 (21) | 20 (17) | 58 (24) |
Akita | 39 (25) | 38 (26) | 77 (28) |
Yamagata | 52 (32) | 38 (30) | 90 (35) |
Fukushima | 57 (36) | 34 (29) | 91 (37) |
Total | 229 (139) | 161 (127) | 390 (152) |
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries
(2) Number of Prizewinners (including Grand Honor, Special Honor and Honor Prizes)
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Aomori | 3 (2) | 2 (2) | 5 (2) |
Iwate | 5 (4) | 6 (4) | 11 (6) |
Miyagi | 5 (3) | 1 (1) | 6 (4) |
Akita | 15 (12) | 22 (17) | 37 (19) |
Yamagata | 16 (11) | 5 (5) | 21 (11) |
Fukushima | 21 (14) | 15 (13) | 36 (19) |
Total | 65 (46) | 51 (42) | 116 (61) |
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries
(Previous Year)
Prefecture | Ginjo-shu | Junmai-shu | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Aomori | 7 (5) | 4 (4) | 11 (6) |
Iwate | 3 (2) | 3 (3) | 6 (4) |
Miyagi | 12 (8) | 5 (5) | 17 (11) |
Akita | 15 (12) | 16 (13) | 31 (18) |
Yamagata | 13 (9) | 10 (8) | 23 (12) |
Fukushima | 19 (13) | 11 (10) | 30 (18) |
Total | 69 (49) | 49 (43) | 118 (69) |
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries
In regard solely to entrants awarded the "Grand Honor Prize" and the “Special Honor Prize,” tasting notes by two foreign jurors and some of the Japanese jurors are published.
a. Grand Honor Prize
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Akita | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA | JCN8410001000388 | TAKASHIMIZU |
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors | |||
・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.) ・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.) |
|||
Tasting notes by Japanese jurors | |||
Moderate maturation opens up a rich green apple-like fragrance, and a delicate flavor with a balance of sweet and sourness. The balance of the aroma and flavor gives an exquisite sense of oneness, showcasing perfection in harmony. |
b. Special Honor Prize
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Miyagi | UCHIGASAKI BREWING CO. | JCN3370003001278 | HOYO |
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors | |||
・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.) ・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.) |
|||
Tasting notes by Japanese jurors | |||
A sweet, rich note that is gorgeous and reminiscent of tropical fruits. A full body, sharp aftertaste and a pure flavor. |
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Akita | SAIYA SHUZOTEN CO., LTD | JCN6410001004787 | KACHO GESSEKI |
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors | |||
・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.) ・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.) |
|||
Tasting notes by Japanese jurors | |||
A sweet, elegant and solid aroma reminiscent of berries. The mildness of moderate maturation within a strong, firm flavor is exquisite. |
c. Honor Prize
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Aomori | NISHIDASHUZOUTEN CO. | JCN9420001001673 | KINKANKIKUIZUMI |
Aomori | ROKKASHUZO CO., LTD. | JCN3420001009607 | JOPPARI |
Iwate | ASABIRAKI.CO.LTD | JCN8400001000067 | ASABIRAKI |
Iwate | SAKURAGAO SHUZO CO.,LTD | JCN6400001000663 | SAKURAGAO |
Iwate | HAMACHIDORI CO., LTD. | JCN4400001007322 | HAMACHIDORI |
Iwate | NANBUBIJIN CO., LTD. BASENKYOUKURA | JCN8400001007847 | NANBUBIJIN |
Miyagi | KAWAKEI SHOTEN GENERAL PARTNERSHIP | JCN5370203000219 | KOGANESAWA |
Miyagi | YAMAWASHUZO CO., LTD | JCN2370201002401 | WASIGAKUNI |
Akita | AKITA SHUZO CO., LTD | JCN2410001001020 | SUIRAKUTEN |
Akita | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. HONSHAGURA | JCN8410001000388 | TAKASHIMIZU |
Akita | FUKUROKUJU SHUZOU CORPORATION | JCN7410001003499 | IPPAKUSUISEI |
Akita | DAINAGAWA SAKE BREWERIES | JCN1410001011251 | DAINAGAWA |
Akita | TENJU SHUZO CO.,LTD. | JCN3410001005235 | TENJU |
Akita | HIRAIZUMIHONPO CO., LTD. | JCN8410001005189 | HIRAIZUMI |
Akita | AKITAMEIJYO COMPANY LIMITED | JCN5410001005431 | RANMAN |
Akita | KIMURA BREWERY INC. | JCN8410001010073 | FUKUKOMACHI |
Akita | RYOZEKISHUZO CO.,LTD | JCN6410001005595 | RYOZEKI |
Akita | SUZUKI BREWING AND CO. | JCN5410003002220 | HIDEYOSHI |
Yamagata | SHUHO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. | JCN4390002001276 | SHUHO |
Yamagata | AZUMANOFUMOTO LIMITED COMPANY | JCN4390002014534 | AZUMANOFUMOTO |
Yamagata | GOTO SHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | JCN1390003000817 | BENTEN |
Yamagata | YONETSURUSYUZO CORPORATION | JCN8390001010456 | YONETSURU |
Yamagata | KAMENOISHUZO CO.,LTD. | JCN5390001007975 | KUDOKIJOZU |
Yamagata | KOIKAWASHUZOU CO., LTD | JCN1390001006816 | BEPPIN |
Yamagata | EIKOFUJI BREWING COMPANY | JCN8390001007782 | EIKOFUJI |
Yamagata | SAKATA SHUZO CORPORATION | JCN5390001006226 | JYOKIGEN |
Yamagata | SUGIISAMI WARABIOKA BREWERY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | JCN7390003000456 | SUGIISAMI |
Yamagata | TOHOKUMEIJO CORPORATION | JCN5390001006440 | HATSUMAGO |
Yamagata | FUMOTOI CO., LTD. | JCN6390001006753 | FUMOTOI |
Fukushima | KINSUISHO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD | JCN4380002000997 | KINSUISHO |
Fukushima | AKEBONO SHUZO CO., LTD. | JCN5380003001861 | ISSHOUSEISYUN |
Fukushima | SHIRAISHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | JCN3380003001772 | BANDAIHOU |
Fukushima | SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. KAEIGURA | JCN2380001017549 | KAEIGURA |
Fukushima | NAGURAYAMA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. | JCN6380001017685 | NAGURAYAMA |
Fukushima | SASANOKAWASHUZO CO., LTD. | JCN4380001005337 | SASANOKAWA |
Fukushima | WATANABE SHUZOHONTEN CO.,LTD. | JCN4380002013173 | YUKIKOMACHI |
Fukushima | GENERAL PARTNERSHIP SHIKE SYUZOUTEN | JCN7380003000936 | MATABEY |
Fukushima | MATSUZAKI SYUZO CO.,LTD | JCN8380001029290 | HIROTOGAWA |
Fukushima | YOSHINOGAWA SHUZOUTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | JCN8380003001941 | AIZU YOSHINOGAWA |
Fukushima | HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE | JCN1380005003942 | OKUNOMATSU |
Fukushima | AIZUSHUZO CO., LTD. | JCN4380001019114 | TAJIMA |
Fukushima | KOKKEN BREWERY CO., LTD. | JCN5380001019146 | KOKKEN |
Fukushima | WATANABE KENICHI | KAITOU OTOKOYAMA |
JCN indicates Japan Corporate Number
a. Grand Honor Prize
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Iwate | HAMACHIDORI CO., LTD. | JCN4400001007322 | HAMACHIDORI |
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors | |||
・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.) ・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.) |
|||
Tasting notes by Japanese jurors | |||
A mellow fruitiness, like freshly-picked strawberries and melons. Opens with a juicy sweetness, followed by refreshing acidity and slightly spicy bitterness give a firmness, a perfect balance. |
b. Special Honor Prize
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Iwate | WASHINOO CORPORATION | JCN8400001004101 | WASHINOO |
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors | |||
・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.) ・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.) | |||
Tasting notes by Japanese jurors | |||
Sweet notes of ripe strawberries and Japanese pears. The silky sweetness and slight bitter flavor stand out, but the aftertaste is refreshingly light. The pleasant finish is impressive. |
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Akita | DAINAGAWA SAKE BREWERIES | JCN1410001011251 | DAINAGAWA |
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors | |||
・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.) ・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.) |
|||
Tasting notes by Japanese jurors | |||
Sweet aromas of lilies and rice. Mainly a smooth, rich sweetness, with an accent of acidity and slight astringency. A crisp finish, emphasizing the junmai's flavor. |
c. Honor Prize
Prefecture | Brewery | JCN | Brand |
---|---|---|---|
Aomori | NISHIDASHUZOUTEN CO. | JCN9420001001673 | DENSHU |
Aomori | ROKKASHUZO CO., LTD. | JCN3420001009607 | JOPPARI |
Iwate | SAKURAGAO SHUZO CO.,LTD | JCN6400001000663 | SAKURAGAO |
Iwate | NANBUBIJIN CO., LTD | JCN8400001007847 | NANBUBIJIN |
Miyagi | ICHINOKURA CORPORATION | JCN4370201000031 | ICHINOKURA |
Akita | AKITA SHUZO CO., LTD | JCN2410001001020 | SUIRAKUTEN |
Akita | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA | JCN8410001000388 | TAKASHIMIZU |
Akita | AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. HONSHAGURA | JCN8410001000388 | TAKASHIMIZU |
Akita | KODAMA BREWING CO.,LTD. | JCN6410001003426 | TAIHEIZAN |
Akita | FUKUROKUJU SHUZOU CORPORATION | JCN7410001003499 | IPPAKUSUISEI |
Akita | HINOMARUJOZO CO.,LTD | JCN6410001009167 | MANSAKUNOHANA |
Akita | SAIYA SHUZOTEN CO., LTD | JCN6410001004787 | CHOSETSU |
Akita | SATOSHUZOTEN CORPORATION | JCN7410001005231 | DEWANOFUJI |
Akita | AKITAKENHAKKOKOGYO CORPORATION | JCN6410001005430 | ITTEKISENRYO |
Akita | AKITAMEIJYO COMPANY LIMITED | JCN5410001005431 | RANMAN |
Akita | KIMURA BREWERY INC. | JCN8410001010073 | FUKUKOMACHI |
Akita | RYOZEKISHUZO CO.,LTD | JCN6410001005595 | RYOZEKI |
Akita | KARIHO SHUZO CORPORATION | JCN9410001007903 | KARIHO |
Akita | SUZUKI BREWING AND CO. | JCN5410003002220 | HIDEYOSHI |
Akita | TAKAHASHI SHUZOTEN CORPORATION | JCN5410001008005 | OKUSHIMIZU |
Akita | DEWATSURU SYUZO CORPORATION | JCN6410001008202 | DEWATSURU |
Yamagata | YONETSURUSYUZO CORPORATION | JCN8390001010456 | YONETSURU |
Yamagata | KAMENOISHUZO CO.,LTD. | JCN5390001007975 | KUDOKIJOZU |
Yamagata | KOIKAWASHUZOU CO., LTD | JCN1390001006816 | KOIKAWA |
Yamagata | EIKOFUJI BREWING COMPANY | JCN8390001007782 | MOMIJINISIKA |
Yamagata | SAKATA SHUZO CORPORATION | JCN5390001006226 | JYOKIGEN |
Fukushima | KINSUISHO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD | JCN4380002000997 | KINSUISHO |
Fukushima | AKEBONO SHUZO CO., LTD. | JCN5380003001861 | TENMEI |
Fukushima | SHIRAISHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | JCN3380003001772 | ISASUMINOMORI |
Fukushima | SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD. HAKASEGURA | JCN2380001017549 | SUEHIRO |
Fukushima | TSURUNOE SYUZO CO.,LTD. | JCN7380001017619 | AIZU CHUJO |
Fukushima | NAGURAYAMA SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD. | JCN6380001017685 | NAGURAYAMA |
Fukushima | SATOUSYUZOUTEN CORPORATION | JCN7380002009846 | FUJINOI |
Fukushima | WATANABE SHUZOHONTEN CO.,LTD. | JCN4380002013173 | YUKIKOMACHI |
Fukushima | MATSUZAKI SYUZO CO.,LTD | JCN8380001029290 | HIROTOGAWA |
Fukushima | KITANOHANASYUZOU LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | JCN5380003001911 | KITANOHANA |
Fukushima | HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE | JCN1380005003942 | OKUNOMATSU |
Fukushima | AIZUSHUZO CO., LTD. | JCN4380001019114 | AIZU |
Fukushima | HANAIZUMI SAKE BREWERY GENERAL PARTNERSHIP COMPANY | JCN4380003002019 | HANAIZUMI ROMAN |
JCN indicates Japan Corporate Number