Nanbu Bijin Co., Ltd. said on the 30th that its sake "Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai" won the top prize in the junmai sake category at the 2026 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai is the flagship product of Nanbu Bijin Brewery, founded in 1902 in Ninohe, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It is a sake that brings together traditional brewing techniques based on pristine nature and pure groundwater. The brand name "Nanbu Bijin" combines the regional name Nanbu with "Bijin," meaning "beautiful sake," reflecting the philosophy of making clean, high-quality sake.
Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai is brewed using "Ginotome," a sake rice specialty of Iwate Prefecture, polished to 55%. It features a balanced structure with about 15% alcohol by volume and an acidity level of 1.5. It has also obtained kosher and vegan certifications, enhancing its product competitiveness across diverse consumer groups.
On the nose, subtle grain notes mingle with bright floral aromas and a soft marshmallow nuance, while on the palate, a velvety texture harmonizes with umami. It is characterized by a more-than-medium body that is not overbearing and a dry, clean finish, completing a balanced style that leaves a long aftertaste.
Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai won "Champion Sake," the top award across all sake categories, at IWC 2017, earning international recognition for its quality.