The World’s Best Sake, According To The U.S. National Sake Appraisal

This U.S. National Sake Appraisal, started in 2001, is an international sake competition conducted by Kokusai Sake Kai, the International Sake Association. The 2024 edition of the Appraisal saw 587 sakes evaluated from Japan and the United States, though in years past, entries have also been received from Mexico, Canada and Australia.

“The purpose of the Appraisal is to recognize breweries that produce sakes of exceptional quality and elevate public awareness outside Japan through tasting events featuring competition-level sakes in peak condition,” said Naoko DeCosta, representative of the U.S. National Sake Appraisal by email.

A public event was held in Honolulu at the Hawai’i Convention Center on October 25, where judging also took place. Another public event will be held in New York City in April. Over half of the sakes available at the tasting are not yet available for sale in the United States, presenting a unique opportunity for American sake lovers.

“Popularity of sake in the world, especially in the United States, is growing,” said DeCosta. “The volume of Japanese sake imported from Japan is steadily growing.” According to DeCosta, 679,000 liters—almost 180,000 gallons— of sake was imported in August 2024.

Judging of the U.S. National Sake Appraisal is completed by 11 judges, eight from Japan and three from North America. Judging procedures are in accordance with the Japan National Research Institute of Brewing, which has overseen Japan’s own national sake appraisal since 1910.

Now in its 24th year, the U.S. National Sake Appraisal is the oldest sake competition held outside of Japan. Here are the winners of the 2024 U.S. National Sake Appraisal.

Here are the winners.

Daiginjo A

Grand Prix: Kid “Muryozan Junmai Daiginjo Seimaibuai 35” from Heiwa Shuzo (Wakayama Prefecture)

Grand Prix Second Place: Kid “Muryozan Junmai Daiginjo” from Heiwa Shuzo (Wakayama Prefecture)

Grand Prix Third Place: Zaku “Satori” from Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten (Mie Prefecture)

Daiginjo B

Grand Prix: bo: Junmai Daiginjo Omachi from Tonoike Shuzoten (Tochigi Prefecture)

Grand Prix Second Place: Zaku “Miyabi no Tomo Nakadori” from Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten (Mie Prefecture)

Grand Prix Third Place: Atago no Matsu “Junmai Daiginjo Hakutsurunishiki” from Niizawa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd (Miyagi Prefecture)

Ginjo

Grand Prix: Yuki no Matsushima “Kai Gin no Iroha Junmai Ginjo Genshu” from Taiwagura Shuzo (Miyagi Prefecture)

Grand Prix Second Place: Torai “Junmai Ginjo” from Rokka Shuzo (Aomori Prefecture)

Grand Prix Third Place: Aizu Miyaizumi “Junmai Ginjo” from Miyaizumi Meijo (Fukushima Prefecture)

Junmai A

Grand Prix: Katsuyama “En” Tokubetsu Junmai from Sendai Isawake Katsuyama Shuzo (Miyagi Prefecture)

Grand Prix Second Place: Zaku “Ho no Tomo” from Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten (Mie Prefecture)

Grand Prix Third Place: Kid “Tokubetsu Junmaishu Omachi” from Heiwa Shuzo (Wakayama Prefecture)

Junmai B

Grand Prix: Kiwamihijiri “Omachi Junmai” from Miyashita Shuzo (Okayama Prefecture)

Grand Prix Second Place: Urakasumi “Junmaishu” from Saura (Miyagi Prefecture)

Grand Prix Third Place: Garyubai “Junmaishu Ukiyoegara” Sanwa Shuzo (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Emerald Award

A tally of the number of gold and silver awards won by each brewery has been kept since the first U.S. National Sake Appraisal in 2001. Every year, the brewery with the largest number of cumulative awards, and which has not received the award previously, is presented with the Emerald Award.

The 2024 Emerald Award was given to Heiwa Shuzo (Wakayama Prefecture).