{"title":"Narutotai","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"narutotai-ginjo-namagenshu-720ml","title":"Narutotai Ginjo Namagenshu 720ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNarutotai Ginjo Namagenshu 720ML\u003c\/strong\u003e is an unpasteurized, undiluted Japanese ginjo sake bottled at 18.5% ABV from Tokushima Prefecture. Produced by the acclaimed Honke Matsuura Brewery — founded in 1804 and recognized across competitions including the Fine Sake Awards Japan and International Wine Challenge — this nama genshu delivers a raw, untempered expression of ginjo brewing at full strength.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 18.5%  |  Origin: Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan  |  Style: Ginjo Nama Genshu  |  Distillery: Honke Matsuura Brewery (est. 1804)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHonke Matsuura Brewery has been brewing sake in Naruto, Tokushima for over two centuries. The brewery is credited with inventing the Kirizukuri-nama process, a proprietary technique that concentrates alcohol levels in sake up to 25% ABV. This Ginjo Namagenshu is brewed with Oseto rice polished to 58% seimaibuai and fermented using the aromatic #9 yeast strain. After brewing, the sake is neither pasteurized nor diluted with water before bottling — the dual nama and genshu designation means what reaches the glass is the unaltered product of fermentation. Honke Matsuura adds a further quality step by hand-selecting only the most intact rice grains after milling, discarding broken or imperfect kernels to ensure clean, precise fermentation character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with sweet tropical fruit and ripe melon, layered with white peach and pear. Beneath those fruit-forward notes, subtle hints of ginger, fresh flowers, and a faintly perfumed, spicy quality emerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On entry, the full 18.5% ABV weight is immediately apparent — rich and textured without being heavy. The mid-palate delivers roasted hazelnut and a creamy rice pudding quality, underscored by sage and fennel herbal notes. A bright, yogurt-like acidity cuts through the sweetness and keeps the palate lively, while lemon peel and sour rice add tension at the peak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is assertively dry with a touch of warmth from the higher alcohol, characteristic of genshu sake. Lingering melon and nutty depth fade slowly, leaving behind a clean, mineral impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Narutotai Namagenshu\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe well chilled, between 5–10°C (41–50°F), to let the bright tropical aromatics shine while the cold tempers the higher ABV. This is a sake that rewards direct, undiluted sipping from a wine glass to capture its aromatic complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn cocktails, the bold body and natural sweetness of this genshu make it versatile: try a \u003cstrong\u003eSake Spritz\u003c\/strong\u003e with sparkling water and yuzu peel, where the melon and peach notes expand beautifully; a \u003cstrong\u003eSake Negroni\u003c\/strong\u003e substituting gin, where the nutty, herbal character stands up to Campari; or a \u003cstrong\u003eTokyo Mule\u003c\/strong\u003e with ginger beer, leveraging the ginger and spice already present in the sake's profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing a sake enthusiast to the intensity of nama genshu styles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a Japanese izakaya-style dinner at home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting to someone who appreciates artisanal, small-production Japanese beverages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a bold, full-bodied sake option to a curated tasting flight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Narutotai Namagenshu taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It leads with sweet melon and tropical fruit, transitions into roasted hazelnut and rice pudding richness, and finishes dry with herbal, slightly spicy warmth. The higher 18.5% ABV gives it a bold, full-bodied texture uncommon in standard ginjo sake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Narutotai Namagenshu compare to Shichihonyari Junmai Nama?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are unpasteurized nama sakes with fresh, vibrant character, but Narutotai Namagenshu is also a genshu — undiluted, at 18.5% ABV versus the typical 15–16% range of Shichihonyari Junmai Nama. The result is a noticeably weightier, more concentrated palate with Narutotai, while Shichihonyari tends toward a lighter, more restrained expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Narutotai Namagenshu good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, it is specifically designed to be enjoyed chilled and neat, where the undiluted, unpasteurized character can be fully appreciated. The bold ABV and layered aromatics make it well-suited to slow, contemplative sipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Narutotai Namagenshu made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is brewed at Honke Matsuura Brewery in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. The brewery has operated continuously since 1804, making it one of the established heritage producers in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Narutotai Namagenshu?\u003c\/strong\u003e Sashimi and raw oysters complement the bright acidity and melon-like fruit. Tempura — particularly vegetable tempura — mirrors the herbal sage and fennel notes. Grilled yakitori with tare sauce balances the sake's dryness. Soft-ripened cheeses like brie echo the creamy, nutty mid-palate. Mochi or rice-based desserts play off the rice pudding character in the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Narutotai Namagenshu come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard size is 720ML, the traditional four-go bottle format common for premium Japanese sake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Narutotai Namagenshu worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a premium craft sake within the nama genshu category, reflecting the hand-selection of rice grains, undiluted bottling, and over two centuries of brewing heritage. For drinkers seeking a full-strength, uncompromised ginjo experience, it represents strong value relative to similarly styled artisanal nama genshu offerings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Narutotai Namagenshu?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat separates this sake from most ginjo on the shelf is the dual nama genshu designation — no pasteurization, no dilution — from a brewery that literally pioneered a process for concentrating alcohol in sake. Honke Matsuura's Kirizukuri-nama technique and their practice of hand-sorting milled rice grains reflect a level of precision that directly shapes the liquid in the glass. The result is a ginjo with uncommon weight and aromatic depth at 18.5% ABV, bridging the gap between delicate floral ginjo and the power of a full-bodied genshu. For anyone looking to experience sake in its most unfiltered, undiluted form from one of Tokushima's oldest breweries, this bottle makes a compelling case.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Narutotai","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837022597289,"sku":"25037","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Narutotai-Ginjo-Namagenshu-720ML__10634.jpg?v=1730476654"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/narutotai.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}