Hard-to-find local sake from Fukui. 8 recommended sakes for souvenirs, including Kuroryu and Ippongi

Fukui Prefecture is known as one of the leading sake producing regions in Japan. Fukui has many rare and high-end brands of sake. Fukui Prefecture is particularly known for its sake brewing , as it is rich in high-quality rice and water. Some of Fukui's sake is representative of Japan and even known around the world.
This time, we will introduce sake from Fukui Prefecture. We have also picked out some recommended brands, so please use this as a reference when choosing your sake.

Characteristics of sake from Fukui Prefecture! Many famous sakes that are hard to obtain

Fukui Prefecture is famous for its excellent water and sake.

Fukui Prefecture is one of the prefectures in the Hokuriku region, and is famous for its cold climate and seafood from the Sea of ​​Japan. Fukui is home to Mt. Hakusan, and is rich in high-quality water that flows from the mountain. Many of Fukui's sakes are made using the mineral-rich natural water from this Mt. Hakusan water system . Among alcoholic beverages, sake is especially famous, and Fukui's sake boasts top-level recognition nationwide.
Furthermore, Fukui Prefecture is ranked second in Japan for the amount of "Gohyakumangoku" rice, which is suitable for sake brewing. As a result, many of Fukui's sake brands are made using Gohyakumangoku rice. Fukui's sake is light yet has a strong flavor, and many of the brands are well-balanced . Many of the brands with a rich flavor are also crisp and easy to drink.
Although Fukui Prefecture is overwhelmingly famous for sake, it goes without saying that other types of alcohol are also produced in the prefecture. Popular alcoholic beverages in Fukui include local beer and craft beer .

Many Fukui sakes are hard to find

There are many traditional sake breweries in Fukui, and it is said that there are more than 30 in total, ranging from large-scale breweries to small-scale breweries.
The sake made in Fukui breweries is characterized by the careful brewing by dedicated master brewers , and is well-known for its careful sake brewing that inherits tradition. Because most of the sake is handmade, even famous brands are not produced in large quantities, and many sakes are considered difficult to obtain or rare, which is a unique feature of Fukui.
Many sakes from Fukui are difficult to obtain, but they are also popular as souvenirs and gifts . If you want to know about delicious and popular sakes, be sure to check out Fukui sake.

Fukui sake is recognized worldwide

There are many brands of sake from Fukui that are recognized not only in Japan but also around the world. Some brands have even received a rating of 90 points or more on the "Parker Points" that is a commonly heard wine rating standard. Among them , "Bon" is extremely famous, having won numerous awards at international liquor competitions such as the IWC (International Wine Challenge) . There are also many brands that are highly rated by sake lovers, such as "Kokuryu", "Tsuneyama" and "Hanagaki".

It is recommended to drink Fukui's ginjo sake slightly chilled.

Fukui Prefecture produces sake using a variety of brewing methods, but the most highly acclaimed is ginjo sake . Many ginjo sakes are fruity and fragrant, and Fukui's ginjo sake in particular has a strong flavor as well as a strong aroma, so you can enjoy it for a long time without getting bored.
The best way to enjoy Fukui's ginjo sake is to drink it slightly chilled . By drinking it slightly chilled, you can enjoy its refined aroma and elegant smoothness.
Furthermore, Fukui's ginjo sake is well-balanced and easy to drink, so it can be enjoyed paired with food as well. It is also recommended to pour it into a wine glass and pair it with Western or Italian food, as well as Japanese cuisine.

Top 8 recommended sakes from Fukui Prefecture

1. Bon Gold

• Type of sake: Japanese sake (Junmai Daiginjo)
• Alcohol content: 14-15%
• Ingredients: Yamada Nishiki rice (polished 50%) from Hyogo Prefecture Special A Area under contract
• Price: 720ml 1,815 yen (tax included), 1,800ml 3,740 yen (tax included)

Bon is one of the sake brands produced by Kato Kippei Shoten , a company with a long history in Fukui Prefecture. Bon Gold is one of the most popular sakes in the lineup, and as its name suggests, it is a pure rice daiginjo sake with a distinctive golden appearance .
It is a blend of sake that has been ice-aged for about a year at -10℃, and has a refreshing yet distinct taste. Although it is unfiltered, it has no unpleasant flavors and is easy to drink.
Bon Gold has won many prestigious awards at competitions such as the ISC, the London Sake Challenge, and the Las Vegas Global Wine Awards. It is also popular overseas, and we recommend pouring it into a wine glass for a moody drink.

2. Black Dragon Ishidaya

• Type of sake: Japanese sake (junmai daiginjo)
• Alcohol content: 16%
• Ingredients: Yamada Nishiki rice from Tojo, Hyogo Prefecture (polished to 35%)
• Price: 720ml 13,200 yen (tax included)

Kuroryu is one of the most well-known sake brands from Fukui, and Kuroryu Ishidaya is a particularly special bottle in the Kuroryu series.
This bottle, called "Kiwami no Sake," is made from the highest quality Junmai Daiginjo sake with a rice polishing ratio of 35%, which is further mellowed by low-temperature aging . It is a so-called aged sake, or vintage sake, and has a juicy, thick nuance that you can't get from regular sake.
The Kuroryu Ishidaya is a limited edition product that will only be released at the end of November, so it is extremely difficult to obtain . The original retail price was over 10,000 yen, but the retail price has risen to over 40,000 yen .
In addition to Ishidaya, we also recommend the Kuroryu brand's "Kokuryu Shizuku (available only in June and September) ." Although it is a rare sake that is difficult to obtain, if you have the opportunity, please try comparing the two.

3. Hanagaki Junmai Daiginjo

• Type of sake: Japanese sake (junmai daiginjo)
• Alcohol content: 16%
• Ingredients: Domestic rice (polished to 45%)
• Price: 720ml 2,420 yen (tax included)

Hanagaki is a brand of sake made by the Noto Toji of Nanbu Sake Brewery, and the umami flavor of the rice is emphasized. This bottle is a gorgeous Junmai Daiginjo sake, but it is a refined sake that does not only have an aroma, but also has a strong umami flavor when you drink it. It has a nearly all-purpose flavor that goes well with any food, so it is sure to be useful in any situation.
By the way, the Hanagaki brand has also released a collaboration bottle with the popular anime "Tokyo Revengers." It is a brand that is loved by a wide range of people, not just sake fans, but also people of all ages and genders.

4. Ippon Yoshikubo Honten Denshin First Class Junmai Daiginjo

• Type of sake: Japanese sake (junmai daiginjo)
• Alcohol content: 17%
• Ingredients: Yamada Nishiki (polished rice ratio 30%)
• Price: 720ml 5,500 yen (tax included)

Denshin is a limited edition sake sold by Ippongi Kubo Honten, known for its Ippongi brand. This bottle, with its striking red lettering on a black label, is a prestigious bottle served in first class on international flights. It is a sake with a rich fragrance and light taste that is typical of Fukui , with a muscat-like aroma and a sweetness derived from rice. It has a clear impression, making it easy to drink and approachable even for those who don't like sake with harsh flavors.

5. Tsuneyama Junmai Super Spicy

• Type of alcohol: Sake (pure rice sake)
• Alcohol content: 15-16%
• Ingredients: Gohyakumangoku (polished rice ratio: 50% koji rice, 65% polished rice)
• Price: 1,800ml 2,800 yen (tax included)

Tsuneyama is a dry sake brand. It has a taste that is known as Echizen dry , and has a balanced taste that allows you to enjoy the umami of the rice while still having a clean and crisp taste. Tsuneyama Junmai Chokarashi is a dry sake with a core even among the Tsuneyama series , and is characterized by its sharp texture on the tongue. It is delicious whether chilled or warm, and has a sharp taste that makes it suitable for drinking with meals.

6. Hayaseura Junmaishu

• Type of alcohol: Sake (special pure rice sake)
• Alcohol content: 15-16%
• Raw materials: Gohyakumangoku (rice polishing ratio 55%)
• Price: 1,800ml 3,080 yen (tax included)

Hayaseura is a sake brand produced by Miyake Hikoemon Sake Brewery. It is a sake with a sharp taste and a less sweet taste, and is considered to be a man's sake. Hayaseura Junmaishu, which is characterized by its long-lasting flavor, is a staple of the Hayaseura series . This bottle is said to have impressed fishermen's palates, and goes particularly well with seafood dishes.
Hayaseura Junmaishu is delicious at any temperature, but we recommend drinking it warm, especially during the chilly seasons. You can enjoy the changes in the sake's flavor at different temperatures and compare the flavors.

7. Maibijin Yamahai Junmai Gaiden Unfiltered Raw Sake

• Type of alcohol: Sake (pure rice sake)
• Alcohol content: 16-17%
• Ingredients: Domestic rice (polished to 60%)
• Price: 720ml 1,540 yen (tax included)

Among Fukui sakes, Maibijin is unique and known as a "sour sake." Its unique sharp acidity can be further enhanced by chilling it thoroughly. Its acidity is a whopping 5.8, and it is so strong that even the brewer calls it a "perverted sake."
This berry-like sour sake will have you hooked once you try it. It is also recommended for those looking for a sake with a different taste than usual.

8. Wakasa Beer

• Type of alcohol: Craft beer
• Alcohol content: approx. 5%
• Ingredients: malt, hops, etc.
• Price: Set of 6, approximately 4,200 yen (tax included)

Wakasa Beer is a craft beer brewed at a brewery on the coast of Fukui Prefecture. It comes in three varieties: Weizen, Amber Ale, and Pale Ale, each with a different label color.
The ingredients used are water from Wakasa and organically grown wheat, so you can feel the high quality of the brewery. You can also tour the craft beer factory and sample the beer if you make a reservation.

Typical dishes and snacks to go with Fukui Prefecture sake

Crab dishes

When speaking of Fukui, seafood from the Sea of ​​Japan is popular. Among them, Echizen crab is especially well-known, and many crab dishes are available in the winter season.
The well-balanced dry sake that is typical of Fukui goes extremely well with crab dishes. Try pairing it with boiled crab, crab miso, or other crab cuts and cooking methods that suit you .

Mackerel Heshiko

Mackerel "Heshiko" is one of the local dishes of the Wakasa region of Fukui . It is made by pickling mackerel in salt and rice bran, a so-called "bran-pickled" food. It was originally created as a preserved food, but is now popular as a snack to go with alcohol or rice.
Saba no Heshiko can be enjoyed as is, lightly grilled, or served with ochazuke. Its exquisite saltiness will bring out the flavor of your sake.

Wakasa beef steak

Fukui Prefecture is famous for its seafood, but it also has a lot of delicious meat. The most representative is Wakasa beef, a type of Japanese black beef , which is characterized by its sweet flavor and yet refreshing aftertaste.
Try making Wakasa beef into a steak and pairing it with sake or beer. The marriage of the finest meat and Fukui's finest sake is perfect for celebrating special occasions such as anniversaries.

Rare sake from Fukui is also popular at liquor purchase specialty stores

Fukui Prefecture has many famous sake brands that are well-known nationwide, such as Bon and Kuroryu. Many of these rare bottles are hard to find at regular convenience stores or supermarkets, and some even sell for over 10,000 yen a bottle, several times the retail price .
Such rare sake from Fukui is also popular in the liquor buying market. Hard-to-obtain bottles are in high demand among buyers, so you can expect to sell them for a high price.
If you have a rare sake from Fukui and have no plans to drink it in the future, why not have it appraised for purchase? Of course, you can also use the purchase appraisal service for alcohol other than sake. At Linkus, a specialty alcohol purchase store, we can appraise any type of alcohol, so please feel free to contact us.
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summary

What did you think of the introduction to the characteristics and recommended products of Fukui Prefecture's sake?
Fukui is especially famous for its sake, and has a wide selection of well-balanced "light and delicious" sake . Many of these sakes are said to be easy to drink, so they are easy to recommend to people who don't usually drink much sake.
Among the sake produced in Fukui, there are some rare brands that are not easily available. Please take this opportunity to deepen your knowledge about sake produced in Fukui.