Shirakabegura
Located in Nada, Hyogo, one of Japan's most famous sake producing regions, Shirakabegura is part of the Takara group producing sake, shochu and other Japanese delicacies. This brewery produces consistently award-winning premium sake with distinctive production methods such as kimoto and muroka genshu, as well as the popular MIO sparkling sake.
At a glance:
Brewing since 1842, using the hard water of Miyamizu, uniquely suited to sake production
One of the longest gold medal streaks of any brewery in the Annual Japan Sake Awards
A master of the rare traditional kimoto style producing unique flavours
Size: 300ml | ABV: 5%
In 3 words: Light, fruity bubbles
A limited edition gold leaf variant of this classic sparkling sake. Reliably enjoyable with a light and bubbly character, fruity aroma, and balanced sweetness, The light body, natural sweetness, and low alcohol content make Mio an easy-drinking and enjoyable sake for any occasion.
Style: Sparkling
Awards: Gold IWC 2016
Brewery: Shirakabegura (Takara)
Region: Hyogo
Size: 2 x 640ml | ABV: 15-17%
Grade: Junmai Daiginjo
Brewery: Shirakabegura
Region: Nada, Hyogo
Size: 12 x 300ml | ABV: 5%
In 3 words: Light, fruity bubbles
Refreshing, delicate and fruity with moderate acidity and a hint of vanilla and blackberry. This elegant sweet and mellow sparkling sake with light alcohol is a great intro into sake for those who already enjoy their bubbles!
Style: Sparkling
Awards: Gold IWC 2016
Brewery: Shirakabegura (Takara)
Region: Hyogo
Rice polishing: 60%
Size: 640ml | ABV: 15%
In 3 words: Balanced, Delicate, Sweetness.
As the crown jewel of the brewery’s range, this aromatic Junmai Daiginjo is a masterclass in elegance and transformation. Crafted with premium Hyogo Yamadanishiki rice and the legendary Miyamizu water, it offers a rare versatility that invites you to experiment with temperature to unlock its layered secrets.
When chilled, the sake is light and ethereal. It greets the palate with a delicate sweetness of strawberry and melon, balanced by a crisp acidity. You’ll notice a faint, creamy lactic note reminiscent of vanilla ice cream, wrapped in a velvety texture.
As it warms to room temperature, the profile becomes bolder and more full-bodied. The texture turns noticeably creamier, revealing complex notes of sweet rice, succulent peaches, and licorice, finished with the fine sweetness of confectionery rice powder. The experience concludes with a lingering, spicy and nutty finish underpinned by rich Umami.
Whether you enjoy the bright fruitiness of a chilled glass or the savory, bold depth of a warmer serve, this sake remains perfectly balanced. It is a sophisticated, playful choice for those who love to see how "time and temp" can redefine a premium brew.
Grade: Junmai Daiginjo
Brewery: Shirakabegura
Region: Nada, Hyogo
Rice polishing: 45%
Save even more with a case of 6 bottles
Size: 640ml | ABV: 17%
In 3 words: Aromatic, unrestrained, complex
Within this stunning bottle lies a stunning sake, packed full of surprises. Brewed with a 'low-intervention' style, the final product does not go through the usual charcoal filtering (Muroka) or dilution with water (Genshu), resulting in fresh apple on the nose and a rich, complex, full flavour.
Grade: Daiginjo (Muroka Genshu)
Brewery: Shirakabegura
Region: Nada, Hyogo
Rice polishing: 50%
Size: 640ml | ABV: 15%
In 3 words: Earthy, dairy, smooth
An easy-drinking Ginjo - all smooth and silky. The Kimoto method brings out the flavour of umami and the dry, full body ends with a nice clean finish that leaves you wanting more.
Grade: Kimoto Ginjo
Brewery: Takara
Region: Hyogo
Rice polishing: 60%
Size: 3 x 300ml | ABV: 5%
In 3 words: Light, fruity bubbles
Refreshing, delicate and fruity with moderate acidity and a hint of vanilla and blackberry. This elegant sweet and mellow sparkling sake with light alcohol is a great intro into sake for those who already enjoy their bubbles!
Style: Sparkling
Awards: Gold IWC 2016
Brewery: Shirakabegura (Takara)
Region: Hyogo
Rice polishing: 60%
Size: 300ml | ABV: 15%
In three words: Balanced, Delicate, Sweetness.
As the crown jewel of the brewery’s range, this aromatic Junmai Daiginjo is a masterclass in elegance and transformation. Crafted with premium Hyogo Yamadanishiki rice and the legendary Miyamizu water, it offers a rare versatility that invites you to experiment with temperature to unlock its layered secrets.
When chilled, the sake is light and ethereal. It greets the palate with a delicate sweetness of strawberry and melon, balanced by a crisp acidity. You’ll notice a faint, creamy lactic note reminiscent of vanilla ice cream, wrapped in a velvety texture.
As it warms to room temperature, the profile becomes bolder and more full-bodied. The texture turns noticeably creamier, revealing complex notes of sweet rice, succulent peaches, and licorice, finished with the fine sweetness of confectionery rice powder. The experience concludes with a lingering, spicy and nutty finish underpinned by rich Umami.
Whether you enjoy the bright fruitiness of a chilled glass or the savory, bold depth of a warmer serve, this sake remains perfectly balanced. It is a sophisticated, playful choice for those who love to see how "time and temp" can redefine a premium brew.
Grade: Junmai Daiginjo
Brewery: Shirakabegura (Takara)
Region: Nada, Hyogo
Rice polishing: 45%
Size: 6 x 640ml | ABV: 15%
In 3 words: Balanced delicate sweetness
The premium line of the brewery’s range, this aromatic Junmai Daiginjo has a light sweetness of strawberry and melon. To taste, it is delicately dry and acidic with a faint lactic flavour of vanilla ice cream. As it warms to room temperature, it becomes bolder, richer and more full-bodied, leaving a lingering spicy and nutty finish with noticeable umami.
Grade: Junmai Daiginjo
Brewery: Shirakabegura
Region: Nada, Hyogo
Rice polishing: 45%
The Shirakabegura philosophy is to harmonize two contrasting ways of brewing: using new technologies that mimic traditional hand-brewing techniques, and the art of human touch, judgement and intuition passed down through generations of brewers. The result is a range of special, unique and interesting brews, mostly of the Ginjo and Junmai styles. More recently, the brewery has found a new niche with the introduction of MIO Sparkling sake.
The brewery building itself is an imposing six stories high with modern facilities -considered among the best in the industry- spread out over over six thousand square meters in Japan’s most famous sake producing region, Nada.
Size: 2 x 720ml + 1 x 640ml | ABV: 16%
Grades: 3 x Junmai Daiginjo
Brewery: Various
Region: Various
Rice polishing: Various