Ginrei Gassan Junmai Ginjō

Gassan Junmai Ginjō (月山酒造純米吟醸) is made of rice grown in Yamagata Prefecture and milled down to 60%. It is a slightly dry sake brewed with great care by local tōji: the brewer has paid particular attention to Yamagata rice, yeast and koji production to bring out the full flavour of Yamagata rice. As a medium-bodied sake, its elegant aroma complements food well. It is best served in a thin glass, not too cold, for a gentler taste.

Awards:

Gassan won gold medals in the "Fine Sake Awards Japan" in 2016, 2018, and 2021. Female professionals worldwide in the wine industry gather in Paris, France, where Gassan won the gold medal at the "Feminary's World Wine Contest" in 2020.

Gassan Brewery was established in 1972 by merging three companies: Shitaraku Shuzō (設樂酒造店, founded in 1896), Suzuki Shuzō (鈴木酒造, founded in 1700,) and Hachimanya Shuzō (八幡屋酒造店, founded in 1780). The company sells under its main label Ginrei-Gassan, and local brands Issei (一声), Horyū (豊龍) and Shirakiku (白菊) are brewed at the respective breweries. In September 2018, the company merged with Suzuki Shuzō (鈴木酒造) and became Horyū Brewery of Gassan Shuzo Co.

Mount Gassan, the central peak of the Dewasanzan mountain range, sees annual snowfall that remains even in mid-summer. The Gassan Sake Brewery, located at the foot of the mountain, is located in an area with some of the heaviest snowfalls in Yamagata Prefecture. The deep snow covering the brewery and the cold, dignified winters produce sake that is matured at low temperatures, enhancing its aroma and giving it a clear, deep flavour. It is said that melted snow water from Mount Gassan seeps underground and gushes out at the foot of the mountain after approximately 400 years. Ginrei Gassan is brewed from this 'Gassan subsoil water', one of Japan's 100 best water sources, and highly polished rice suitable for sake brewing.

The brewery maintains the Gassan Sake Brewery Museum.