Sake specs
- Prefecture
- Mie (三重)
- Rice type
- Domestic rice (国産米)
- Polishing rate (semaibuai)
- 60%
- Alcohol content
- 15%
- SMV
- +6
- Acidity
- 1.8
Hanzō Tokubetsu Junmai Karakuchi (特別純米酒 半蔵 辛口) is dry with a mild aroma and a refreshing aftertaste. The brewery describes its refreshing aroma as that of soft violet and steamed rice. It has a smooth texture, light sweetness, robust and balanced acidity and umami that unfurls in the mouth and ends with a deep, dry finish. Heating increases the rich flavour. Recommended food pairings are simmered taro or sardines in sweetened soy sauce, steamed dumplings, and tomato omelette. The Hanzō Tokubetsu Junmai Karakuchi received the National Kanzake Contest 2020 Gold Award.
About the brewery
- Brewery
- Ōta Shuzō
- Name in Japanese
- 大田酒造
- Address
- 1365-1 Kaminoshō, Iga City, Mie Prefecture, 518-0121
- Phone
- 0595-21-4709
- Website
Ōta Sake Brewery, located in Iga, Mie Prefecture, was founded in 1892. Their main product is a sake label called Hanzō, which is available in many varieties. The name Hanzō goes back to Hattori Hanzō (服部半蔵, 1541-1596), a famous samurai and vassal of the Matsudaira (later Tokugawa). He was also called Oni no Hanzō (Hanzō the Demon) for his bravery in combat. Ōta Brewery is run by Ōta Yuki in the 7th generation. He is the youngest tōji (brewmaster) in Mie Prefecture.
Awards
- 2003: National New Sake Competition (全国新酒鑑評会) - Gold Medal (Hanzō)
- 2004: National New Sake Competition (全国新酒鑑評会) - Gold medal (Hanzō)
- 2005: National New Sake Competition (全国新酒鑑評会) - Gold medal (Hanzō)
- 2006: Nagoya Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Competition - Grand Prize (Hanzō Special Junmai-shu Ukon Nishiki)
- 2007: Nagoya Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Competition - Grand Prize (Hanzō Special Junmai-shu Ukon Nishiki)
- 2008: Nagoya Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Competition - Grand Prize (Hanzō Special Junmai-shu Ukon Nishiki)
- 2009: Kanzake Contest 2009 - Gold Prize (Hanzō Special Junmaishu Ukon Nishiki)
- 2010: Kanzake Contest 2010 - Gold Prize (Hanzō Special Junmai Sake Iga Uconnishiki)
- 2011: Gold Medal (Hanzo Junmai Daiginjo) at the 5th International Salmon Challenge
- 2012: 46th Mie Prefecture New Sake Competition - Mie Prefecture Governor's Prize (Hanzō Daiginjō Iga Yamadanishiki)
- The Fine Sake Award 2012 - Highest Gold Award (Hanzō Daiginjō Shizuku-shu)
- The Fine Sake Award 2015 - Gold medal in the main category (Hanzō Special Junmai-shu Iga Ukon Nishiki), Gold medal in the Daiginjō category (Hanzō Junmai Daiginjō, Hanzō Daiginjō Shizukushu-shu, Hanzō Daiginjō Iga Yamadanishiki)
- Kanzake Contest 2015 - Highest Gold Award in the Premium Kanzake Category (Hanzō Special Junmai Sake Dry)
- 2016: 42nd Summit of the Heads of State and Government (Ise-Shima Summit) - Working Dinner Toast Sake (Hanzō Junmai Daiginjō)
- 2020: National Kanzake Contest 2020 Gold Award for the Hanzō Tokubetsu Junmai Karakuchi