Kaganoi Junmai Ginjo

Founded in 1650 by order of feudal lord Maeda Toshitsune, Kaganoi Shuzo in Itoigawa holds the distinction of being the oldest sake brewery in Niigata Prefecture, a region that has defined Japanese sake elegance for centuries. In December 2016, a catastrophic citywide fire destroyed the brewery alongside 147 other buildings, but production resumed in 2018 after rebuilding. Unusually for Niigata, the brewery draws on medium-hard water, which gives this junmai ginjo a firmer, more structured body than the typical soft-water profile. Takanenishiki rice polished to 45% produces modest, elegant fruit aromas and a sharply dry finish that speaks of both resilience and precision.