Kikusui Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Location: 750 Shimagata, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture; President: Daisuke Takazawa) will release two award-winning daiginjo sake varieties, "Setsugoro Shuppinshu (Exhibition Sake)," in limited quantities starting January 11, 2026.
These exceptional sake embody the brewers' passion, reflected in every heartbeat that went into creating them for competition. Enjoy these precious bottles during special moments or meaningful conversations with loved ones.
They are available exclusively at the KIKUSUI Kura GARDEN shop on the brewery premises and through the direct-from-brewery online shop "Kikusui Kamosudemitasu" (sales will end once quantities are depleted).
"Setsugoro Shuppinshu 2025 National New Sake Appraisal Gold Prize Winner, Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Ginjo Section Excellence Award Winner"
This daiginjo sake was submitted with the brewery's prestige on the line, winning awards at two appraisals in 2025. It won the Gold Prize at the National New Sake Appraisal, held every spring to evaluate the quality of new sake produced that year. After further aging, it was entered in the autumn Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal, where it won the Excellence Award in the ginjo section.
From the brewers who crafted this sake:
It features a fruity ginjo aroma and an elegant taste free of impurities. You can also sense the fullness of Yamadanishiki, the rice used as the raw material. The deep aftertaste characteristic of undiluted genshu sake is a defining feature. To fully appreciate the aroma, we recommend serving it in a tall glass (such as a flute-shaped glass) and first enjoying the sake on its own.
"Setsugoro Shuppinshu 2025 Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Junmai Ginjo Section Excellence Award Winner"
This junmai daiginjo sake was brewed in spring 2025, aiming for entry in the autumn Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal. The sake, which had a clean taste with minimal impurities when pressed, was aged over time toward the autumn submission, reaching its finest maturity. As a result, it won the Excellence Award in the junmai ginjo section.
From the brewers who crafted this sake:
- After pressing, it was aged to develop a gentle ginjo aroma and well-balanced flavor.
- We are extremely pleased that our team's collective effort toward winning resulted in this award.
- This sake holds deep significance as it was brewed with everyone working as one.
About Setsugoro Shuppinshu
A Cup Resonating with the Brewers' Heartbeat Toward Competition
Setsugoro Shuppinshu is sake brewed specifically for competition entry. These masterpiece sake are crafted by brewers with meticulous design and decades of rice records, all aimed at winning awards at appraisals. Consequently, they are available only in limited quantities.
Continuing Time, Brewing the Future
Setsugoro Shuppinshu is the crystallization of relentless passion and pride in exhibition sake that honors the name of Kikusui Sake Brewery's founder, Setsugoro. It carries forward the desire and techniques from the brewery's founding to deliver delicious sake to customers, while also representing challenges for future sake brewing. Setsugoro Shuppinshu embodies the breath of sake brewing that continues from past to future.
About the National New Sake Appraisal
Every spring, appraisals are held across Japan to evaluate the quality of new sake produced that year. Among these, the largest national-scale event is the "National New Sake Appraisal," co-hosted by the National Research Institute of Brewing (NRIB) and the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association. Breweries from across Japan submit carefully selected entries with their prestige on the line.
Kikusui Sake Brewery Website Announcement: "Award Report for the 2024 Brewing Year National New Sake Appraisal"
https://kikusui-sake.com/home/jp/news/7mh5m8s_j/
About the Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal
This appraisal is conducted to promote progress and development in sake brewing technology and improve sake quality through quality evaluation, thereby contributing to the sound development of the sake industry.
Kikusui Sake Brewery Website Announcement: "96th Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Award Report"
https://kikusui-sake.com/home/jp/news/56k0cqacx/
Product Details
| Product Name | Setsugoro Shuppinshu 2025 National New Sake Appraisal Gold Prize Winner Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Ginjo Section Excellence Award Winner |
|---|---|
| Volume | 720ml |
| Production Method | Daiginjo Genshu (Undiluted Sake) |
| Ingredients | Rice, Rice Koji, Brewing Alcohol |
| Rice Used | 100% Yamadanishiki from Niigata Prefecture |
| Alcohol Content | 17.5% |
| Rice Polishing Ratio | 40% |
| Price | ¥55,000 (tax included) |
| Sales Start | January 11, 2026 |
| Product Page | https://kikusui-kamosudemitasu.com/products/setsugoro_yamadanishiki_2025/ |
| Product Name | Setsugoro Shuppinshu 2025 Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Junmai Ginjo Section Excellence Award Winner |
|---|---|
| Volume | 720ml |
| Production Method | Junmai Daiginjo Genshu (Undiluted Sake) |
| Ingredients | Rice, Rice Koji |
| Rice Used | 100% Koshitanrei from Niigata Prefecture |
| Alcohol Content | 16.5% |
| Rice Polishing Ratio | 40% |
| Price | ¥33,000 (tax included) |
| Sales Start | January 11, 2026 |
| Product Page | https://kikusui-kamosudemitasu.com/products/setsugoro_koshitanrei_2025/ |
How to Purchase "Setsugoro Shuppinshu"
KIKUSUI Kura GARDEN Shop
Business Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed: Mondays (When Monday is a national holiday, the shop is open, and the following day is closed)
Address: 750 Shimagata, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture
Direct-from-Brewery Online Shop "Kikusui Kamosudemitasu"
https://kikusui-kamosudemitasu.com/lp/setsugoro-shuppinshu/
*Free membership registration is required to place orders.
