Harmony in a Bottle: The Birth of Sake Elegance - The Story of Tokuten 

Harmony in a Bottle: The Birth of Sake Elegance - The Story of Tokuten 

WHERE IS "TOKUTEN" COME FROM?

Nagayama Shuzō 永山酒造合名会社 

  • Established during the Meiji era
  • Breweries located in Yamaguchi and Fukuoka prefectures
  • Acquired trademark of Nada's famous sake "Otoyama"
  • Brand "Yamazaru" developed to promote local sake from Yamaguchi Prefecture
  • Sake rice sourced from skilled contract farmers
  • Unique hard water from Yamaguchi Prefecture used in brewing process
  • Crisp and mellow sake, highly regarded by chefs
  • Also produce shochu "Netaro"

WHAT IS TOKUTEN?

"徳" Toku

  • Tokuji area of Yamaguchi Prefecture
  • Regional heart of Yamada Nishiki rice farming
  • Climate of Tokuji helps produce some of the very best local rice, both for eating and brewing

"天" Ama or Ten

  • The heavens
  • The sky above
  • Celestial realm where Amaterasu the divine spirit of the sun, resides
  • The skies bring light and rain to nourish the rice and feed the springs that become brewing water for sake

It is a name recognizing the true source of sake, the local environment and the farmers who grow the rice. 

HOW TO MAKE TOKUTEN?

1. Polishing

  • Polish and remove the excess outer layer of the rice

2. Washing/Soaking

  • Rinse off the residual bran from the rice and then soak it in water

3. Steaming

  • Steam the rice to facilitate the growth of koji

4. Koji-making

  • Sprinkle koji onto the steamed rice and cultivate it

5. Starter-making

  • Combine steamed rice, koji, and water in a small tank, add yeast to create a natural fermentation starter

6. Mashing

  • Transfer the fermentation starter to a large container, and then add more steamed rice, koji, and water multiple times for further fermentation

7. Pressing (Fukurozuri method)

  • Separate the sake from the mash. The mash is packed into a bag, then suspended to allow the sake to drip out from the bag, without applying pressure

8. Storage

  • After removing residual sediment, carbon filtration, dilution, and pasteurization, sake can then be stored and bottled

Fukurozuri method

  • Refer to BAG HANGING METHOD
  • Using fabric bags to let sake drip slowly from the mash, without any physical pressure 
  • The resulting sake is particularly refined and delicate
  • Produces much less finished sake compared to typical methods, making it a rare treat
  • An elegant and exquisite sake – Tokuten is born

TOKUTEN DAIGINJO・PREMIUM 徳天大吟醸・特吟 

Ingradient

Rice, Rice Koji, Brewing Alcohol

Rice Variety

100% Yamada Tita 

Rice Polishing Ratio 

40% 

Content Volume 

720ml 

Serve

Chilled

  • Made from carefully polished "Yamada Nishiki" rice
  • Offers a luxurious Chutori Daiginjo experience
  • Highly aromatic and best enjoyed, either on its own or with delicately flavored dishes
  • Pairs well with dishes like salt-grilled whitefish, enhancing the fish's flavors with its robust umami while balancing with sweet notes

TOKUTEN DAIGINJO・DELUXE 徳天大吟醸・超特品

Ingradient

Rice, Rice Koji, Brewing Alcohol

Rice Variety

100% Yamada Tita 

Rice Polishing Ratio 

40% 

Content Volume 

720ml 

Serve

Chilled

  • Experience the exquisite luxury and elevate your dining with our remarkable Daiginjo sake
  • A perfect complement to any culinary masterpiece
  • The aromatic sake is infused with flavors of mango and sweet melon, while the palate is filled with notes of rice, sweet melon, and subtle acidity
  • Pairs exceptionally well with rich, textured dishes such as slow-cooked duck confit, as the acidity helps balance the richness of the fats, and the rice notes accentuate the natural flavors of the meat perfectly

INTERNATIONAL SOMMELIER TASTING REVIEW (1) 

Carol C, SSI International Sommelier

  • "Tokuten" Daiginjo offers rich fruity aromas and a smooth texture. In terms of flavor, both variants of Daiginjo have an incredibly delicate palate, even described as "melting in the mouth".
  • They are exceptionally smooth with balanced acidity and alcohol, offering rich, layered flavors and a complex, multi-dimensional texture with floral and rice aromas.
  • "Tokuten" Tokugin also has a subtle sweetness for a well-balanced, not overly sweet palate.
  • Overall, "Tokuten" Tokugin and Daiginjohave exceptionally elegant and complex flavors and textures, perfect for savoring slowly.
  • Pairing: Due to their delicate textures and rich flavors, both of these sakes can enhance and balance the flavors of various dishes, especially seafood dishes like sashimi, sushi, grilled fish, and fried dishes.

INTERNATIONAL SOMMELIER TASTING REVIEW (2)

Jo Mo, SSI International Sommelier

  • Tokuten Deluxe

Colour: 

Clear light yellow

Aroma:

Rich fruity and rice fragrance

Taste: 

Very smooth with a certain sweetness, releasing rich layers in the mouth
Balanced and smooth in aroma and taste

Flavour:

Multi-layered with floral and rice fragrances

  •  Tokuten Premium

Colour: 

Clear light yellow

Aroma:

Rich fruity and rice fragrance with a hint of acidity

Taste: 

•A certain level of sweetness with a mild acidity
•Different layers are released

Flavour:

Floral and rice fragrances

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