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BORN Gold

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

BORN Gold

梵 ゴールド

A Yamada Nishiki junmai daiginjo with a 50% rice-polishing ratio; stated maturation at −10°C for up to one year.

Muroka Junmai-DaiginjoBacchus Global cold-chain mark
RiceYamada Nishiki
Polish50%
ABVAt least 14%, less than 15%
Volume720 ml / 1,800 ml
MethodUnfiltered / −10°C, up to 1 year
RegionFukui (Sabae)
The sake

Yamada Nishiki, polished to 50%

BORN Gold 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 unfiltered junmai daiginjo nama sake blended from sake matured at −10°C for up to one year, then heat-treated just before shipment.

Taste profile

Pineapple and pear, with a vanilla and nut finish

Sensory profile

Gold spans a wide range — from chilled sake at around 0–10°C, through room temperature, to gently warmed kan at around 30–40°C — with the aroma and umami shifting character along the way.

Aromas of pineapple and pear are layered with notes of vanilla and nuts. The mouthfeel is velvety smooth, and the rice’s umami carries through to a gentle, lingering 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

Los Angeles International Wine Competition2026 — Gold Medal; 2024 — Gold Medal; 2023 — Best of Class — Highest Honour
Milano Sake Challenge2025 — Gold Award
CINVE International Awards2025 — Grand Gold Medal — Highest Honour; 2023 — Gold Medal; 2022 — Gold Medal; 2021 — Grand Gold Medal — Highest Honour
Singapore Sake Challenge2024 — Best Sake
Monaco Sake Awards2024 — Gold Award
Las Vegas Global Wine Awards2024 — Gold Award; 2023 — Gold Award; 2022 — Platinum Award; 2021 — Best Sake — Highest Honour in sake / Platinum Award
Australian Sake Awards2024 — Sessionable Award / Best Food Matching Award — Pizza Margherita
Kura Master2024 — Gold Award; 2020 — Platinum Award; 2019 — Gold Award; 2018 — Gold Award; 2017 — Gold Award
Feminalise World Wine Competition2024 — Coup de Coeur Jury Special Prize; 2023 — Gold Award; 2022 — Gold Award; 2021 — Gold Award
TEXSOM Awards2024 — Gold Medal; 2023 — Gold Medal; 2022 — Gold Medal
San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC)2023 — Gold Medal; 2018 — Double Gold Medal — Highest Honour
Tasting Korea International Wine Awards2021 — Judges’ Selection — Highest Honour in sake; 2019 — Gold Medal; 2018 — Gold Medal; 2017 — Gold Medal; 2016 — Gold Medal
International Wine Challenge (IWC)2020 — Gold Medal
London Sake Challenge2020 — Gold Award; 2019 — Gold Award
International Sake Challenge (ISC)2019 — Gold Medal
SAKE-China2019 — Golden Dragon Award — World No. 1 / Platinum Award / ANA Women’s Division Award — Most Preferred Sake
Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition2017 — Gold Medal; 2016 — Gold Medal; 2014 — Best of Class — Highest Honour; 2013 — Gold Medal
U.S. National Sake Appraisal2016 — Gold Award; 2015 — Gold Award; 2014 — Gold Award; 2013 — Gold Award
CommendedIWC 2026 — Commended

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

A gentle richness alongside the main dish

The smooth texture and rice umami show a natural affinity with the main dish of a meal, as well as with dishes using butter, cheese or olive oil.

  • Seafood sautéed in butter
  • Roast chicken
  • Dishes with cheese
  • Olive-oil appetizers

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 Gold at your restaurant or retail venue? Our team can provide information on availability, storage requirements and trade terms.

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