JUYONDAI
Since 1615, the Takagi family has continually brewed sake from generation to generation―passing on the teachings of their ancestors, as well as the importance of respecting traditions and perfecting technique without forgetting creativity and gratitude.
Despite over 400 years of brewing history, Takagi Sake Brewery achieved cult-status in 1993, when the young Tatsugoro Takagi was summoned home due to a family emergency. The sudden retirement of the tōji left the brewery without a master brewer at that time when the brewery was struggling to survive.
Upon returning, Takagi made the pioneering decision to take charge of sake production, and the destiny of the brewery, himself. He was determined to draw on his family’s centuries-old traditions and wisdom to create an entirely new expression―a sake that would captivate the senses from the initial aroma to the final sip. In 1994, when he was just twenty five years old, he crafted his first sake for the brewery―. His aromatic ‘hōjun uma-kuchi’ (mellow, umami) sake style was a revelation at a time when the sake market was dominated by ‘tanrei kara-kuchi’ (light, dry) styles. His sake was given the name Juyondai (or “Fourteenth Generation”), an homage to his father, Takagi XIV, and the pioneering ancestors of his family brewery.
Today, with fifteenth generation Tatsugoro Takagi at the helm, the family’s sake brewery is renowned for its high quality Juyondai sake. Juyondai is so coveted amongst connoisseurs that it has become the most difficult to obtain sake in Japan.
In 2017, through the international launch of Juyondai, Takagi Sake Brewery finally presented its precious sake to the world. These classic Juyondai varietals, labelled with unique identification markers, are exclusively exported directly from Takagi Sake Brewery through a minus five degree temperature controlled, traceable, genuine quality assured system to “Official Juyondai Distribution Partners” to ensure that global connoisseurs enjoy Juyondai in its optimum condition.
JUYONDAI GOLD LABEL
Takagi Sake Brewery Yamagata
Graceful, refined and exceptionally rare, Gold Label is the crown jewel of the Juyondai collection.
Handcrafted by 15th generation master brewer, Tatsugoro Takagi, with Yamada Nishiki sake rice grown in the Special Grade A fields of Yokawa, Hyogo, and pure Sakura Shimizu natural spring that follows from Yamagata’s Dewa Mountains, this limited edition sake is the supreme representation of the beauty and exquisite craftsmanship of Takagi Sake Brewery.
The opulent aroma is an exquisite orchestration of ripe Fuji apple, La France pear, Shine muscat grapes, and honeydew melon, accented with the scent of white flowers, tarragon and yuzu peel. The palate is smooth, precise and finely structured, with a luxurious layering of green orchard fruits integrated with rich umami notes imparted by the Yamada Nishiki rice. The well-balanced acidity enhances the fruit and carries the flavour to a long, graceful off-dry finish. An yuzu-peel-like zestiness tantilises the palate, and lingers pleasantly in the after taste. The overall impression is one of elegance and harmony.
Prized for its exquisite flavour and compatibility with a wealth of cuisines, Gold Label is highly coveted by gourmands and sommeliers around the world.
“Outstanding. Very long pure finish with a lovely succession of precisely defined ginjo aromas.
Beautiful texture with finesse.” — Antony Moss MW
“A fine sake that is harmonious in every sense of the word. ” — Jennifer Docherty MW
JUYONDAI BLACK LABEL
Takagi Sake Brewery・Yamagata
Juyondai Black Label has a unique, natural beauty and captivating finesse.
Takagi Sake Brewery’s first official international release, Black Label was launched in 2017, so that Juyondai made with precious rice varietal that has a personal significance to the family brewery, could be enjoyed around the world.
Black Label is brewed with Sake Mirai, a sake rice developed by Takagi Sake Brewery, specifically to suit the climate and brewing conditions of Yamagata. Cultivated for the brewery by local farmers, Sake Mirai imparts a vibrant yet gentle expression and a sense of Yamagata’s terroir in the Black Label 2024 vintage.
Delicately perfumed with fresh, clear notes of crisp La France pear, Fuji apple, honeydew melon and quince interlaced with aromas of banana, white flowers and a hint of fresh yoghurt. Soft and supple on the palate, the flavour is an exquisite arrangement of green fruits accented with notes of Japanese citrus. The refreshing yet gentle acidity perfectly counterbalances the natural sweetness and umami imparted from the Sake Mirai rice. Light-medium bodied and superbly balanced, the flavour gains depth as it moves smoothly across the palate, then seems to literally ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ ― a sensation that is characteristic of rice varietals developed by Takagi Sake Brewery. The flavour departs with a clean, off-dry finish.
“A commanding sake that seamlessly joins elegance and richness of texture.” — Jennifer Docherty MW
JUYONDAI RED LABEL
Takagi Sake Brewery・Yamagata
Red Label is the “origin” of Juyondai sake.
Its classic Juyondai expression has quickly captured the attention and praise of food and wine lovers around the world for its compatibility with a wide range of cuisines.
The nose is resplendent with pure, focused aromas of ripe La France pear, mango, juicy Yubari melon, young banana, and fresh orange blossom, accented with a touch of saline minerality. Silky smooth in texture with rich, opulent flavours of ripe fruit that swell gracefully on the palate. Medium-bodied with a defined structure and well calibrated acidity that provides balance to the rich, umami flavour that is imparted from the Yamada Nishiki and Aiyama rice. A pleasant mikan orange peel-like zestiness accentuates the clean, off-dry finish. The satisfying flavour and refreshing aftertaste stimulate appetite and drive your desire to take another sip.
An approachable, easy-to-drink style that embodies the exquisite expression and craftsmanship of Juyondai.
“Very pure expression of complex ginjo aromas, well integrated alcohol,
and very fine silky texture. Rich and opulent.”
— Antony Moss MW
“A refreshing style that is suitable for everyday drinking, with or without food.”
— Jennifer Docherty MW
