Limited Edition Sake 'Genkyo' Challenging New Expressions of Aged Japanese Sake, Lottery Sales Begin March 30th (Mon) on MINAKI Official Online Store
MINAKI brand launches limited lottery sale of 300 bottles of Junmai Daiginjo 'Genkyo', aged in white wine barrels.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 03:30
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 21:46
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 10:27 (372h 40m after Collected)
REBORN Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenji Minaki), which operates the luxury Japanese sake brand MINAKI, will begin lottery sales for its new product 'Genkyo' on the MINAKI Official Online Store starting Monday, March 30th, 2026. (※Anyone can register as a member for free.)
'Genkyo' is a limited edition sake based on Junmai Daiginjo with a 17% rice polishing ratio, aged in French oak barrels previously used for white wine. It is further refined in a sub-zero environment to achieve a light taste with subtle vanilla and woody notes from the barrel, while minimizing roasted flavors. The barrel aging period is approximately 7 months. Each bottle is filled after a sensory evaluation to determine the 'optimal moment,' with a limited production of 300 bottles.
Can We Create 'Aging Beyond the Norm for Sake'? — The Reason 'Genkyo' Was Born
The starting point for 'Genkyo' was the desire to create an aging expression that transcends the 'norms of Japanese sake' and to deliver the 'charm of sake from a new perspective' to wine and whisky enthusiasts. In essence, 'Genkyo' is conceived as an entry point to encounter 'unknown expressions of Japanese sake'.
The most crucial aspect during development was 'balance'. If the barrel's character was too strong, the sake's identity would be diluted; if too weak, the value of the challenge would be difficult to convey. To design this 'delicate line', special barrels that had aged white wine for over a year were selected, and the toasting level was adjusted to be mild. To preserve the beauty of the sake itself, which is the main star, the design requirements were meticulously adjusted down to the finest details.
Furthermore, 'Genkyo' is not a sake that 'completes by resting in a barrel'. It is managed with the philosophy of 'capturing the peak moment' by increasing tasting frequency at each stage of aging. This operation of 'judging each bottle' itself serves as a mechanism to ensure the reproducibility of a limited edition sake (i.e., aiming for the highest point rather than the same taste every time). It is truly a bottle of 'once in a lifetime'.
New Sake Aromas and Aftertastes Born from White Wine Barrels x Sub-Zero Aging
Generally, 'taru-zake' (barrel-aged sake) is sake that utilizes the woody aroma derived from the barrel material, with cedar being the common material. It is also sometimes defined as sake that allows enjoyment of the woody aroma from storage in cedar barrels.
'Genkyo' adopts French oak barrels that have aged Koshu white wine, rather than 'cedar barrels' for aroma enhancement. The aim was to layer the subtle vanilla and woody nuances from the barrel onto the 'transparency of Japanese sake'. The barrel aging period is approximately 7 months, creating a light and refined barrel aroma.
FAQ
What is 'Genkyo' sake?
'Genkyo' is a limited edition Junmai Daiginjo sake produced by the luxury Japanese sake brand MINAKI. It is unique for being aged in French oak barrels previously used for white wine and further refined in a sub-zero environment.
When and where can I purchase 'Genkyo'?
Lottery sales for 'Genkyo' will begin on Monday, March 30th, 2026, exclusively on the MINAKI Official Online Store. Registration as a member is required and free.
What makes 'Genkyo' different from traditional sake?
'Genkyo' challenges conventional sake aging by using white wine barrels and a meticulous aging process to create a light taste with subtle vanilla and woody notes, aiming to appeal to a broader audience beyond traditional sake drinkers.
How many bottles of 'Genkyo' will be available?
Only 300 bottles of 'Genkyo' will be produced and available through the lottery sale.
What is the aging process for 'Genkyo'?
The sake is aged in French oak barrels for approximately 7 months, followed by refinement in a sub-zero environment. The optimal bottling moment is determined through individual sensory evaluations for each bottle.