| Brand | Kikusui |
| Region | Niigata, Hokuriku, Japan |
| Spirits Type | Sake |
| Spirits Style | Honjozo |
| ABV | 15% / Rice Polishing: 70% |
Product details
Kikusui Karakuchi Honjozo is crafted by Kikusui Sake Co., a brewery founded in 1881 in Niigata Prefecture—an area celebrated for its pure waters and top-tier sake rice. This Honjozo-style sake incorporates a small amount of distilled alcohol to enhance aroma and smoothness, while the rice polishing ratio of 70% ensures balance between refinement and rustic vitality. Made exclusively from world-class Gohyakumangoku rice grown in Niigata, the sake embodies Kikusui’s philosophy of quality combined with everyday accessibility: a beverage meant to be enjoyed by a wide range of drinkers, yet reflecting careful craftsmanship. The brewery’s skilled brewers—historically under “toji” masters, now supported by a team-driven approach—apply both time-honored techniques and modern quality controls to produce a clean, consistent product imbued with authentic character .
On the palate, Kikusui Karakuchi Honjozo delivers a brisk, crisp profile, with a chimney-like clarity that recalls a fresh mountain breeze. Its firm dry finish—SMV around +7—cleanses the palate, supported by a quietly robust umami that makes it particularly food-friendly. Tasting notes highlight light grain and even yogurt-like nuance, with a smooth yet slightly sharp texture, versatile when served chilled in summer or gently warmed in winter. In terms of pairings, it excels alongside grilled or fatty dishes—think unagi kabayaki, salt-grilled saury, tempura or kinpira gobo—as well as light, refreshing fare like soba, red-fleshed fish (salmon, tuna), or hearty hot-pot meals. This harmony between crisp dryness and umami makes Kikusui Karakuchi Honjozo a reliable choice to enhance a wide range of cuisines.
