Sake specs
- Prefecture
- Ehime (愛媛)
- Rice type
- Matsuyama Mitsui (産松山三井)
- Polishing rate (semaibuai)
- 60%
- Alcohol content
- 16%
- SMV
- +5.0
- Acidity
- 1.3
Ishizuchi Tezukuri Junmai Ubu (石鎚 手造り純米 初) is made with Matsuyama Mitsui rice milled to 60%. Ubu is a fresh and aromatic Junmai, embodying the " firsts" theme—the brewery's first batch, pressing, and shipment of the year. It pours with a youthful sheen, revealing a rich, vibrant character. The aroma combines fruity apple notes with hints of vanilla-like sweetness and warm, steamed rice. The palate offers a silky umami presence with balanced acidity and a crisp bitterness. Flavours reminiscent of green melon rind add freshness, while a refined, spice-like bitterness lingers in the finish. Designed to complement food, Ubu enhances meals while remaining crisp and smooth. Compared to more mature Ishizuchi releases, it showcases a bright, youthful expression with a lively and refreshing profile.
About the brewery
- Brewery
- Ishizuchi Shuzō
- Name in Japanese
- 石鎚酒造
- Address
- 402-3 Himihei, Saijō, Ehime 〒793-0073
- Phone
- 0897-57-8000
- Website
石鎚酒造オフィシャルサイト｜食中に活きる酒造り -
石鎚酒造は、大正9年創業、西日本最高峰「石鎚山」のふところで名水の町として呼び声の高い愛媛県西条市にあります。私たちが目標とする酒造りは、「食中に活きる酒造り」。純米酒、純米吟醸酒を中心に、3杯目から旨くなる酒を目指します。www.ishizuchi.co.jp
Founded in 1920, the Ochii family (越知家), brewers of Ishizuchi sake, served for generations as village headmen (庄屋 shōya) in Niihama, a neighbouring town of Saijō. The family's move to Saijō and subsequent transition from shipping merchants to sake brewing marked the birth of Ishizuchi (石鎚). The brand and the brewery's name are derived from Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan.
Saijō in Ehime Prefecture has long been renowned as a "town of pristine waters" (名水の町), known since the Edo period for its abundant natural springs. Among them is Uchinuki (うちぬき), a groundwater source selected as one of Japan's top 100 renowned waters. The brewing water for Ishizuchi's sake comes from the same Ishizuchi mountain range, drawing from its rich and plentiful springs.
Saijō in Ehime Prefecture has long been renowned as a "town of pristine waters" (名水の町), known since the Edo period for its abundant natural springs. Among them is Uchinuki (うちぬき), a groundwater source selected as one of Japan's top 100 renowned waters. The brewing water for Ishizuchi's sake comes from the same Ishizuchi mountain range, drawing from its rich and plentiful springs.
Awards:
- Fine Sake Award: 2024 (Grand Gold, Gold Award), 2023 (Grand Gold 2x Gold Award), 2022 (Grand Gold Award, Gold Award), 2021 (Grand Gold Award), 2020 (4x Grand Gold Award, Gold Award), 2019 (Highest Gold Award)
- International Wine Challenge IWC: 2023 (Gold, 4x Silver, 3x Bronze, 1x Commended), 2022 (3x Silver, 3x Bronze), 2021 (2x Gold, 4x silver), 2020 (5x Silver, Bronze), 2019 (2x Gold, 1x Silver, 3x Bronze)
- Kuramaster: 2023 (Platinum, Gold), 2022 (Platinum, Gold), 209 (2x Gold), 2019 (Gold)
- Milan Sake Challenge: 2023 (Platinum, Silver, Bronze)
- Oriental Sake Awards: 2023 (Gold, Bronze)
- Asian Sake Festival in Singapore: 2023 (Gold, Silver)
- Sake Competition: 2023 (Gold), 2019 (2x Silver)
- Japan Women's SAKE Award ~ Fine Sake Competition ~: 2023 (Top of the Best, 2x Gold)
- Sake College: 2019 (Gold)
- Omachi Summit Appraisal: 2019-2023 (Honour Awards)
