Kitsukura Brewery & Distillery
Prefecture: Nagano
Family: Ide
Founded: 1696
Visit The Brewery
Usuda, Saku City
Nagano Prefeture, Japan 653-2
About The Brewery & Distillery
Kitsukura Shuzo was officially founded in 1696 and has been brewing Sake crica 300 years.
Traditions runs deep with the Ide family today Tyler Ide and his Uncle continue with their ancestors’ aspirations and techniques, striving to preserve their ancient traditions while embracing new ideas and techniques. The Ide family, who is able to trace their roots back to Heian Era (late 8th Cen. – 12th Cen.), were deeply involved in the Meji Restoration of the late 1800’s which initiated the establishment of modern day, “Post-Shoganate”, Japan.
Nagano’s alpine climate and pristine natural resources frame Kitsukura’s style of sake as well as their Soba Shochu. The brewery’s water is sourced from beneath the Chikuma River which flows down from the surrounding Yatsugatake Mountains to provide ice cold slightly soft water, perfect for brewing sake of substantial body and character. High-quality Miyama Nishiki sake rice grown in Saku provides the core for a style of sake that is at once rich, complex and grainy, while refined, crisp and layered.
Kitsukura inaugurated a micro-hotel within the brewery in 2020
The hotel provides accommodations for students of sake to experience the brewing process up close and personal in a real-world, real-time application.
Kitsukura Brewery Products
“"Kura"
Master's Pride
純米大吟醸 蔵
Junmai Daiginjo 純米大吟醸
Kitsukura Brewery | Nagano Prefecture
"Kikuhide"
Royal Glory
純米 菊秀
Junmai 純米
Kitsukura Brewery | Nagano Prefecture
"Touge"
Ridge
本格焼酎 (蕎麦) 峠
SHonkaku Soba Shochu
Kitsukura Distillery | Nagano Prefecture
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Distilled in the Nagano Alps, “Roof of Japan,” Ridge Soba Shochu is a culmination of the distillation traditions of Kyushu in the southwest and the fine Shinshu Buckwheat grown in Nagano. This Shochu embodies the understated, homey, earthy flavor of buckwheat (soba).
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Best Served:
On the Rocks | Chilled | Cellar
Flavor Profile:
Earthy and deep but smooth, satisfying, hearty “homey” soba flavors. -
Ingredients: Single Distillation of 80% Nagano Shinshu Soba (Buckwheat) & 20% Rice
Distilling: Atmospheric
Koji: Yellow
Aging: Minimum 6 months in ceramic tanks
Alc by Vol: 25%
Qualities: Honkaku, Additive-Free, Gluten-FreeAvailable Sizes: 750ml
"Taru Sake"
Barrel-Aged Taruzake
本醸造 樽酒
Honjozo 本醸造
Kitsukura Brewery | Nagano Prefecture
"Tamayura"
Rhythmic Droplets
純米スパークリング 玉響
Sparkling Junmai 純米スパークリング
Kitsukura Brewery | Nagano Prefecture
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Royal Glory has been the sake of choice in the Saku Region of Nagano Prefecture for over 330 years. This classic Junmai is now an old standard, a straight-talking sake of tremendous character and smooth goodness.
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Body: Medium +
Sake Meter Value: +1
Serving Temp: Cellar | Room
Flavor Profile: Round, sweet, deeply layered with malty rice mash flavors and umami richness. Earthy licorice aromas add style and definition.Food Pairings: Rockfish Fava Bean Risotto | Marinaded Korean Short Ribs | Roasted Salmon with Fennel
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Rice Type: Miyama-Nishiki
Milling Rate: 65%
Yeast: Nagano Kyokai #901
Alc by Vol: 16%Available Sizes: 720ml
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This delicate honjozo is matured in small, hand-made cedar barrels for 3-6 months. A small "dosage" of older sake is added at completion to refine and ensure continuity of character. Kitsukura Taruzake continues a centuries old tradition that precedes glass, ceramic or stainless steel aging.
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Body: Light
Sake Meter Value: +3
Serving Temp: Chilled | Warm
Flavor Profile: Medium light-bodied, clear, woodsy, subtle brown spice, distinctive mellow aroma of Yoshino Cedar.Food Pairings: Seafood Paella | Black and Blue Steaks | Hamachi Kama | Roasted Gamebird with Sweet Potato
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Rice Type: Miyama-Nishiki
Milling Rate: 65%
Yeast: Nagano Kyokai #901
Alc by Vol: 16.5%Available Sizes: 720ml
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Master’s Pride is the closest to perfection that a bottle of sake can get. As the name reflects, this is a sake of supreme refinement and quality - truly an embodiment of all that a brew master could wish for in a bottle! Subtle and pristine sake aroma is followed by razor-smooth, slightly earthy yet dignified flavor.
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Body: Medium
Sake Meter Value: +3
Serving Temp: Chilled | Cellar
Flavor Profile: Rich intensity, flavors of dried fruit, nuts, melon, peach, long finish; multiple layers emerge as the sake warms.Food Pairings: Foie Gras | Grilled Yellowfin Tuna | Roasted Cauliflower Hazelnut Pasta | Braised Chicken Thighs with Apples
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Rice Type: Miyama-Nishiki
Milling Rate: 39%
Yeast: Nagano Kyokai #901
Alc by Vol: 16%Available Sizes: 720ml
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Tamayura Sparkling is created by capturing the naturally occurring carbonation of fermentation. Its crisp citrus acidity and pinpoint bubbles lift the sake to a palate refreshing new level. Perfect for dessert or served in a flute with a lemon twist.
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Body: Light
Sake Meter Value: -20
Serving Temp: Chilled
Flavor Profile: Aromas of Yuzu, White Grapefruit, Peach, Yogurt; Junmai grade creates richness and underlying sweetness; streams of lively bubbles accent creamy citrus flavors, refresh the palate.Food Pairings: Savory Crepes | Prosciutto Wrapped Melon | Lemon Ricotta Cake | Bruschetta with Blueberries
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Rice Type: Miyama-Nishiki
Milling Rate: 70%
Yeast: Nagano Kyokai #901
Alc by Vol: 8%Available Sizes: 300ml
