Kumamoto Castle Junmai Sake

The producer of Kumamoto Castle Junmai Sake is Zuiyo. Managing Director Kentaro Yoshimura is closely involved in sake production. He works with local rice farmers to grow the rice for his sake, which has won several awards in Japan and internationally. Yoshimura-san produces sake that makes the most of the rice in its natural form and has developed brewing recipes that use fertilizer-free and lightly polished rice. The best of Kumamoto's natural environment is used: only local rice, the extremely clear groundwater of nearby Mount Aso and local yeast make his sake so special. Kumamoto Castle can be drunk both chilled and warm and is a great all-rounder for food pairing.

Tasting notes

Nose: Rice pudding, light yuzu note, soft vanilla

Taste: Dry, umami, nice acidity, pleasant bitterness, slight mushroom note, spicy finish

Character: Aromatic, strong, versatile, full-bodied, all-rounder

Junmai Sake
Japanese alcoholic drink based on rice
Polish: 65%
Rice variety: Hananishiki (Kumamoto)
Sake meter value: +6
Net quantity: 720 ml
Alcohol: 15% vol.
For sale to persons of legal age only
Importer: Ginza Berlin GmbH,
Pfalzburger Straße 20, 10719 Berlin

Taihachi Yoshimura founded the Zuiyo company in Kawashiri in 1867 and was one of the pioneers of sake production in Kumamoto. Previously, only the local specialty Akazake was produced here. Akazake, or "red" sake, is mainly used today as a condiment, but was the only alcoholic beverage produced in Kumamoto at the time. In addition, the Kumamoto Prefectural Sake Institute was founded on its land in 1909 in order to optimize brewing techniques there. This made Zuiyo an important player in Kumamoto's sake history. In 1922, the institute was relocated to Shimasaki, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City.

The brewery is very proud to be the birthplace of Kumamoto sake culture. The company was once founded with the aim of producing high-quality products rooted in the local climate. Almost 160 years later, the founder's vision continues to be realized by the following generations. Every day, the company faces the challenge of producing authentic, strong sake that is typical of Kumamoto. The 2016 earthquake caused significant damage to breweries in the prefecture, including Higashihigura, where Zuiyo Akazake brews. Fortunately, the company received support from all over the country and was able to resume production within a very short time.

Today, Zuiyo is still one of the few breweries in Kumamoto to produce Akazake. The company is also famous for its Nihonshu, which has won numerous national and international awards. In addition to sake, Zuiyo also very successfully produces delicious shochu.