Gihei Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki
Overcoming crisis and restarting. Taking on the challenge of new sake brewing.
Its founding dates to 1643. The company brochure declares it "the oldest sake brewery in Fukushima Prefecture." Its brand, "Kaishuuichi" (會州一), lived up to its name, long cherished as the definitive sake of Aizu.
When a related company's business failed, the brewery was pushed to the brink of closure in 2005. Yet, they rose again. Today, they are pouring all their effort into a new era of sake brewing.
Though their scale has been reduced, their resolve is clear: "We have no choice but to make great sake." They seek out criticism from trusted acquaintances with discerning palates, channeling that feedback directly into their brewing. They are re-evaluating everything from scratch—the sake rice, the yeast, the polishing ratios—immersing themselves in the craft, often at the expense of sleep.
Yoshio Yamaguchi, the toji (master brewer) who also spearheads sales, explains, "We shifted the majority of our distribution back to Fukushima Prefecture, so that our local community could drink our sake. We are simply grateful that people are drinking it." Now, in addition to their once-loyal fans, a new generation of admirers is steadily growing.
Yamaguchi