Ippongi Sake Brewery

Location

Ippongi Sake Brewery is located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, a town nestled in the foothills of Mt. Hakusan (lit. White mountain) known for its deep winter snows. Katsuyama is called the Dinosaur Kingdom, as more dinosaur fossils have been excavated here than in any other region in Japan. Its history traces back over 1300 years, to the time when Heisenji Temple was founded by the great monk Taichou in AD 720. In the 15th century, when Heisenji Temple was at the height of its prosperity, it wielded an enormous influence upon the central government and samurai society. Historical artifacts continue to be discovered to this day. Perhaps because of this rich historical background and its beautiful nature, Katsuyama was ranked 1st place on Forbes Magazine's "The World's Cleanest Cities" list in Asia, and 9th place in the world.

One of Japan's best rice growing regions

Katsuyama City and neighboring Ono City make up the region called Oku-Echizen. The region is blessed with pure water, fertile soil, and an ideal temperature difference between night and day, creating the perfect environment to grow large amount of high quality sake rice. Oku-Echizen is known by sake brewers for being one of the most productive areas in Japan for the sake rice, “Gohyakumangoku”. In addition, the famous “Yamadanishiki” and newly developed sake rice, “Koshinoshizuku” are also grown here. “Koshinoshizuku” is a very rare type of sake rice that first appeared in 2003 and has not been distributed anywhere outside of Fukui Prefecture. It allows the production of only 1000 bales a year. In Ippongi's Denshin series, “Koshinoshizuku” is used for “RIN/ Air of the brewery” and “INE/ Rice field”, and a blend of “Yamadanishiki” and “Gohyakumangoku” is used for “Yuki/ Snow”.

History of the brewery and about its sake

In the days when samurai still roamed the streets, feudal lord of Katsuyama, Lord Ogasawara, gave the symbolic name 'Ippongi' to the sake brewed exclusively for him. The name 'Ippongi' comes from the Zen term 'Daiichigitai', which means ultimate truth. When Ippongi Sake Brewery was founded in 1902, the company inherited this historical sake name. Since the beginning, Ippongi has been brewing high-quality dry sake. Within 10 years of its founding, it became the top brand in Fukui prefecture, a position it continues to hold to this day, nearly 100 years later. Around the 1950's, having already made a name for itself with its excellent dry sake, Ippongi began to seek a way to create an even more elegant and refined taste. The taste Ippongi was aiming for was something pure with a beautifully articulated fragrance and flavor. To accomplish this, Ippongi turned to the Nanbu brewing method (developed among brew masters from southern Iwate prefecture, which was famous for producing sake with a clean, clear taste). The company began employing a toji (brew master) well-versed in the Nanbu methods, and since then Ippongi has consistently worked to produce a quality sake which embodies these ideals of purity in both taste and fragrance. In the 89th Nanbu-Toji Sake Contest (2007), Ippongi won the grand prize out of 586 contestants, thus attaining the highest possible honor among all sake brewed with the Nanbu method.

About the Nanbu-Toji Association

The Nanbu-Toji Association is one of the three most excellent brew master associations in Japan along with Echigo-toji and Tanba-toji. Of this esteemed triumvirate, Nanbu-Toji is widely considered to be the best. It has a history of over 350 years, and the skills and craftsmanship of the Nanbu-Toji Association have been praised throughout the history of sake brewing.

PRODUCTS

DENSHIN RIN/AIR OF THE BREWERY

This is a sake with a rich aroma that carries undertones of peaches and lychee, and an elegant taste full of depth and freshness. This sake is one of the finest offered in the Denshin Series. This sake is brewed entirely using 'Koshinoshizuku' rice. First appearing in 2003, only 1000 bales of this rare variety of sake rice are produced a year, and it isn't distributed anywhere outside of Fukui Prefecture. Take just one sip, and you will perhaps think of this as not just a sake but as a work of art.

DENSHIN YUKI/SNOW

This sake features a calm fragrance and pure dry taste. When you sip this sake, scenes of a quiet, snow-covered sake factory might drift to your mind. This sake is brewed using 'Yamadanishiki' and "Gohyakumanngoku" rice. Denshin Yuki's tranquil aroma and clear dry taste has garnered enthusiastic support not only from customers who enjoy dry sake, but also from chefs who seek an appropriate sake to accompany fine cuisine.

DENSHIN INE/RICE FIELD

This sake features a smooth feeling with soft dry taste. When you sip this sake, you might imagine a field of mature rice plants swaying gently in the breeze. This sake is brewed entirely using 'Koshinoshizuku' rice. First appearing in 2003, only 1000 bales of this rare variety of sake rice are produced a year, and it isn't distributed anywhere outside of Fukui Prefecture. Once a sake aficionado has become accustomed to the many varieties of sake, he gradually begins to prefer a sake with fine taste and distinct flavor rather than heavy aroma. Denshin Ine is such a sake, and when we put the sake aficionados' discerning palates to the test, they were very moved by this sake's soft texture and relaxing taste.

GINKOUBAI HANNYA TOU

Take a sip, and following the initial full-bodied sweetness enjoy the bold spicy flavor that spreads through your mouth. Guaranteed before now you've never experienced a flavor quite like this. Just one drink and you'll be hooked, and wanting to recommend it to all of your friends.