Sake specs
- Prefecture
- Mie (三重)
- Rice type
- Kaminoho (神の穂)
- Polishing rate (semaibuai)
- 50%
- Alcohol content
- 15%
- SMV
- +2
Urahanzō Kaminoho Junmai Daiginjō Nakadori (裏・半蔵 神の穂 純米大吟醸 中取り) is a premium sake crafted using local ingredients from Mie Prefecture. The sake rice, Kaminoho, is a unique variety developed for sake production. The water comes from underground sources in the Iga Basin, filtered by the surrounding Nunobiki mountain range. The yeast MK-3, another Mie Prefecture creation, is known for its fruity aroma, making it ideal for ginjō-style brewing. Only the nakadori (中取り) portion of the pressed rice is used to highlight the individual characteristics of each ingredient. This middle portion is prized for its exceptional balance of aroma and flavour, with minimal off-flavours.
Urahanzō is the private brand of "Sake Shop Morishita," located on the approach to Ise Shrine .
About the brewery
- Brewery
- Ōta Shuzō
- Name in Japanese
- 大田酒造
- Address
- 1365-1 Kaminosho, Iga, Mie Prefecture, 518-0121
- Phone
- 0595-21-4709
- Website
Ōta 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 Yuki runs Ōta Brewery 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
