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BORN Ginsen

Original bottle illustration — Bacchus Global
BORN · Kato Kichibee Shoten · Fukui · est. 1860

BORN Ginsen

梵 吟撰

A smooth, clear Junmai Daiginjo made to accompany food.

Junmai-DaiginjoBacchus Global cold-chain mark
RiceYamada Nishiki
Polish50%
ABV15%
Volume720 ml
MethodAt or below 0°C, up to 1 year
RegionFukui (Sabae)
The sake

Yamada Nishiki, polished to 50%

BORN Ginsen is a junmai daiginjo made with contract-grown Yamada Nishiki from Hyogo’s Special A districts, with a rice-polishing ratio of 50%. The producer describes a blend of sake matured at or below 0°C for up to one year.

Taste profile

A silky texture, and rice umami

Sensory profile

Gentle aromas of grapefruit and pear lead to a texture that is silky and smooth.

The rice’s umami comes through, resolving to a clear, dry finish.

The brewery

Sabae, Fukui — since 1860

Kato Kichibee Shoten was established in Sabae, Fukui, in 1860. The brewery has produced junmai styles exclusively since 2003 and matures its sake below 0 °C before release. BORN’s identity is built around rice, water, time and a clean, layered house style.

Official brewery website

Awards

Verified international recognition

Kura Master2026 — Gold Award; 2023 — Gold Award; 2022 — Gold Award; 2021 — Gold Award
Singapore Sake Challenge2024 — Best Sake; 2023 — Platinum Award
Australian Sake Awards2024 — Gold Award / Sessionable Award
Los Angeles International Wine Competition2023 — Gold Medal
San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC)2022 — Gold Medal; 2019 — Double Gold Medal — Highest Honour
CINVE International Awards2022 — Gold Medal; 2021 — Gold Medal
Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition2019 — Best of Class — Highest Honour; 2017 — Best of Class — Highest Honour; 2016 — Best of Class — Highest Honour; 2015 — Best of Class — Highest Honour
London Sake Challenge2018 — Platinum Award
International Wine Challenge (IWC)2016 — Gold Medal
U.S. National Sake Appraisal2015 — Grand Prix Runner-up; 2014 — Gold Award
International Sake Challenge (ISC)2008 — Trophy — Highest Honour

International results are compiled from Kato Kichibee Shoten’s official award archive and grouped by competition. Existing exact-label IWC and Japanese competition records are retained. Different products and specifications are excluded.

Culinary affinity

Delicate seafood and a clear finish

Seafood, white fish and delicate Japanese dishes share an affinity with the sake’s gentle aroma and clear finish.

  • White fish sashimi
  • Shellfish and shrimp starters
  • Grilled fish
  • Dashi-forward Japanese dishes

Pairing guide — Sake

Explore BORN

Related products

Three routes: a close style, a contrasting expression, and a BORN reference point.

View all BORN products

Read the story

Related stories

Product philosophy, the brewery, and serving culture — one Bacchus Global article for each.

For restaurants and retailers

Interested in listing BORN Ginsen at your restaurant or retail venue? Our team can provide information on availability, storage requirements and trade terms.

Make a trade enquiry

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