【Long history premium brewery of Japan】
【Saketime Ranking No.2 in Fukui Pref】
【The use of the premium yamadanishiki from Hyogo Pref.】
【Low temperature maturation】
【San Francisco International Wine Competition 2022 – Double Gold】
Ingredients : Rice、Koji
Rice Type: Premium Yamadanishiki from Hyogo Pref.
Polishing Rate: 35%
Alcohol: 15% vol
Production Date: 09/2025
Website: https://www.born.co.jp/
“Born” is a meaningful name, representing“purity” and “telling the truth” in Sanskrit, while the Japanese pronunciationof the brand name coincides with its English name “Born” and has the meaning of“birth”.
Initially operating as a money exchangebusiness a few hundred years ago, and as a bank nowadays, Katoukichibee Shoutenwould also receive rice from farmers as rent for their manor and farmland. Withthe aim of better using the rice it regularly received from the farmers, thesixth-generation owner decided to start the sake brewing business in 1860. Frombefore the Second World War, the brand “Koshinoi” was used to represent itstraditionally crafted sake, and only the highest-quality sake would use the name“Born”. It was only in 1963 (Showa 38) that the brewery streamlined all brandsas “Born”, and then ventured out into the world.
The 11th-generation owner, PresidentAtsuhide Kato, wishes to incite a feeling of “new birth” among the customerswhen they take a sip of Born sake, followed by an aspiration for a brightfuture. The brand name in Japanese has the same pronunciation as “Born” inEnglish, and means birth. It also sounds similar to the French word “Bon”,which means “good”, echoing the brewery’s relentless pursuit of quality.
When Born made its appearance at theenthronement of Emperor Showa, it was the first time in history that a sake notfrom the Kinki region had been served at an enthronement ceremony. Since then,Born has always been on the list of sakes available at official Imperial Courtevents. The need to maintain its premium quality is, therefore, of utmostimportance.
In addition to using subsoil water from180m deep from the Hakusan mountain range and 100% local Japanese sake rice,Born has also introduced modern technology into its traditional brewing method,resulting in consistency in the quality of its sakes. The average polishingratio of its sake rice is as low as 37%, leaving only the purest “shinpaku”(the core of the grain) for sake brewing. Born has its own sake rice millingfacility to ensure that the rice polishing ratio adheres to these stringentrequirements. Moreover, Born’s sakes are all in the “junmai” pure rice style,aged for 1 to 10 years at 0°C to -10°C, elevating the fragrance to the fullest,with a smooth, round mouthfeel. All these explain the unfailing popularity ofBorn’s sakes over the years.
Born is located in Sabae city, which isworld-famous for eyewear manufacturing. The brewery has made use of the uniqueeyeglass manufacturing technology to produce artificial rice, which is placedit at the bottom of rice steamers to prevent the bottom layer of sake rice fromoverheating. It is an original technology developed by Born.
Hoshi Junmai Daiginjo
The brewery produced this junmai daiginjoto thank Mother Earth for the “pure water”. The bottle has a champagne-likecork, which pops when it’s open, making it ideal for parties. The 500ml bottleis designed to be enjoyed with that special someone. Its colour is astransparent and pure as spring water. It’s best served cold, which brings out abanana and white peach aroma with a refreshing, crisp finish. It is best pairedwith red king crab.
