Narutotai Ginjo Namagenshu 720ML

Narutotai Ginjo Namagenshu 720ML 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.

Quick Facts: ABV: 18.5%  |  Origin: Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan  |  Style: Ginjo Nama Genshu  |  Distillery: Honke Matsuura Brewery (est. 1804)

Production & Heritage

Honke 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.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: 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.

Taste: 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.

Finish: 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.

How to Drink Narutotai Namagenshu

Serve 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.

In cocktails, the bold body and natural sweetness of this genshu make it versatile: try a Sake Spritz with sparkling water and yuzu peel, where the melon and peach notes expand beautifully; a Sake Negroni substituting gin, where the nutty, herbal character stands up to Campari; or a Tokyo Mule with ginger beer, leveraging the ginger and spice already present in the sake's profile.

Best For

• Introducing a sake enthusiast to the intensity of nama genshu styles
• Pairing with a Japanese izakaya-style dinner at home
• Gifting to someone who appreciates artisanal, small-production Japanese beverages
• Adding a bold, full-bodied sake option to a curated tasting flight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Narutotai Namagenshu taste like? 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.

How does Narutotai Namagenshu compare to Shichihonyari Junmai Nama? 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.

Is Narutotai Namagenshu good for sipping neat? 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.

Where is Narutotai Namagenshu made? 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.

What foods pair well with Narutotai Namagenshu? 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.

What sizes does Narutotai Namagenshu come in? The standard size is 720ML, the traditional four-go bottle format common for premium Japanese sake.

Is Narutotai Namagenshu worth the price? 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.

Why Narutotai Namagenshu?

What 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.