Manzairaku Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo Sake Wins Gold at France's Kura Master 2026

Kobori Shuzoten Co., Ltd. (located in Tsurugi Honmachi, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Yasuyuki Kobori) is pleased to announce that its sake "Manzairaku Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo" (2025 brewing year) has been awarded a Gold Medal in the Junmai Daiginjo (1-35%) category at the Kura Master 2026 sake competition held in Paris, France.

Manzairaku "Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo" (2025 brewing year) won a gold medal in the Junmai Daiginjo (1-35%) category at the Kura Master 2026 sake competition held in Paris, France.

**About Kura Master 2026 Competition**

Kura Master is an international competition for Japanese sake, authentic shochu, awamori, wine, and liqueurs, held in France with a judging panel comprising European food professionals, including French sommeliers and restaurant industry experts. This competition, celebrating its 10th anniversary since its establishment in 2017, held its judging on Monday, April 27, 2026, at "Le Pavillon Ledoyen" in Paris, France, known as an independent maison with the most Michelin stars in the world. This year, a total of 1,252 brands were entered. Approximately 125 experts, including MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) sommeliers, top sommeliers from first-class French hotels, bartenders, and cavistes, served as judges. The sake competition was conducted across 9 categories, with Gold and Platinum awards given to the top 33%. In this year's Junmai Daiginjo (1-35%) category, 12 Platinum awards and 29 Gold awards were selected. Official announcement: https://kuramaster.com/ja/concours/comite-2026/laureats/ Kura Master, a French sake competition, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026.

**About the Award-Winning Sake "Manzairaku Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo"**

"Manzairaku Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo" is a limited edition Junmai Daiginjo sake brewed using 100% "Hyakumangoku no Shiro" sake rice from Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, combined with Kanazawa Yeast "1401" to bring out ginjo aromas. The brewing of sake with the combination of Ishikawa's original sake rice "Hyakumangoku no Shiro" and Kanazawa Yeast "1401" was first attempted by our brewery in the 2024 brewing year. The award-winning product for the 2025 brewing year is the second time this combination has been brewed. This special bottle is carefully brewed by the toji (master brewer) in only one tank. The sake embodies the brewer's passion and skill, focusing on the ingredients and perfecting the balance of aroma and taste. Its delicate, clean taste acts as an excellent supporting player, enhancing the quality of the cuisine. When paired with light-flavored dishes such as nanbanzuke of white fish, pan-fried cod, or steamed clams with sake, its clear umami and elegant aroma harmonize beautifully. It also pairs well with Ishikawa's local dishes such as kintokisou no ohitashi (blanched kintoki grass) and junsai no suizu (water shield in vinegar dressing). Please enjoy it in a glass during a quiet evening drink or at a special dinner.

**Product Overview**

- **Product Name**: Manzairaku Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo - **Rice Used**: Hyakumangoku no Shiro (from Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture) 100% - **Rice Polishing Ratio**: 35% - **Yeast Used**: Kanazawa Yeast 1401 - **Alcohol Content**: 16% - **Volume**: 720ml - **Suggested Retail Price**: 5,500 JPY (tax included) - **Product Page**: https://www.shop-manzairaku.jp/products/?id=770

Manzairaku "Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo" 720ml / 5,500 JPY (tax included). Comes in a gift box, making it suitable for presents.

**Comment from Yasuyuki Kobori, Representative Director and President**

"We are deeply honored to have received the prestigious Gold Award at Kura Master 2026. This product is brewed using a combination of local Ishikawa ingredients: Ishikawa's original sake rice 'Hyakumangoku no Shiro' and Kanazawa Yeast '1401'. We are sincerely delighted that our second-year challenge, following continuous improvements with our toji since the first brewing in the 2024 brewing year, has been highly evaluated by food professionals in France. Encouraged by this award, Manzairaku will continue to produce sake rooted in the nature and climate of Ishikawa. We hope that through this product and our other sakes, we can convey the charm of Ishikawa to people both domestically and internationally."

**Comment from Kazuya Watanabe, Toji (Master Brewer)**

"'Toji Gensen Junmai Daiginjo' is a special bottle that I poured my heart and soul into, carefully brewing only one tank. The combination of Ishikawa's original sake rice 'Hyakumangoku no Shiro' and Kanazawa Yeast '1401' was only first attempted in the 2024 brewing year. This award-winning sake for the 2025 brewing year is the second brewing, with the balance of aroma and taste further refined based on the experience of the first year. By earnestly facing the ingredients and carefully engaging in each process..."