Prefecture: Yamagata
Rice & polishing: Dewasansan, polished to 35%
Style: Junmai Daiginjo genshu (undiluted)
Food pairings: Sashimi, white fish carpaccio, prawn tempura, steamed chicken
Taste: Melon, pear, crisp, dry
Alc.: 17%
Benten Gokujo is a premium Junmai Daiginjo made entirely from Dewasansan, the sake rice developed over almost twenty years by Yamagata's research institute and the prefecture's brewers. The rice is grown by Goto Shuzoten's own toji and polished to 35%. Intense aromas of cantaloupe, puréed pear and orange blossom lead to a crisp, dry palate that keeps the mildness and richness of the rice, followed by a vibrant, long finish. Bottled undiluted, it is the brewery's most popular genshu. Serve chilled.
2021 IWC — Bronze
About the brewery
Founded in 1788 in the Okitama region of Yamagata, Goto Shuzoten makes only designated premium sake, brewing junmai and junmai ginjo grades in small quantities with close attention to rice quality. Its Benten brand has won a string of domestic and international awards in recent years, including golds at Japan's National New Sake Awards. Since 2023 the retailer KURAND has run the business operations, with the Goto family president continuing to lead the brewery day to day.
