Boken Sake Launches, Championing Next Generation Japanese Brewers

(New York, NY) — Boken Sake is proud to launch a portfolio of innovative and food-friendly sakes crafted by next generation brewers in Japan. Boken Ringo, Boken no. 77, Boken Nigori, and Boken Nana are all Junmai Ginjo (rice and water milled to 60%) sakes that pair with a broad range of New American food, from regional New England seafood to Texas barbecue and beyond. Founder Daisuke Nakajima founded Boken after extensive visits to breweries throughout Japan, and is spotlighting next generation “mad scientist” brewers bringing big, bold umami flavors to sake. Boken Sake ($56-$65/720 ml) is now launching at on-premise accounts in the U.S., and will also be available to purchase at select retail locations in NY and NJ.

“We launched Boken to broaden the appeal of sake beyond traditional Japanese cuisine,” says Daisuke, founder and CEO of Cedar Sake LLC, a NY-based importer of Boken Sake. “We take pride in partnering with family-owned, small-batch brewers, and we’re thrilled to demonstrate that sake is not only flavorful but can also complement a wide variety of dishes from around the globe.”

Boken’s mission is to preserve the rich Japanese tradition of sake and introduce it to a new audience, one that may enjoy pairing sake with non-Japanese foods. The next generation brewmasters, 27th from Hiraizumi Honpo in Akita Prefecture and the 6th generation from Takagi Brewery in Kochi Prefecture, are committed to innovation while honoring the honed craftsmanship of the brewers before them.

The inaugural Boken Sake lineup includes:

Boken Ringo (SRP/14%) - Junmai Ginjo (Takagi Brewery)With fresh apple notes, this sake captures the balance of a California Chardonnay and was a Platinum medal winner at Kura Master Paris 2024

Pairs well with: Cheese, Lobster Roll, Tempura, Pizza, Summer Salads

Boken no. 77 (SRP/13%) - Junmai Ginjo (Hiraizumi Honpo Brewery)Featuring structured acidity, this sake pairs beautifully with heartier dishes. Its unique yeast strain produces floral aromas that evolve with food.

Pairs well with: Grilled Fish, Lamb Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Steak, Yakitori

Boken Nigori (SRP/14%)  - Junmai Ginjo (Hiraizumi Honpo Brewery)A semi-filtered nigori style, this sake offers a unique mouthfeel and smoothness, perfect for pairing with spicy dishes.

Pairs well with: Tacos, Fried Chicken, Teriyaki, Spicy Foods

Boken Nana (SRP/15%)  - Junmai Ginjo (Hiraizumi Honpo Brewery)An earthy yamahai sake, this sake shines whether served chilled or warmed. Its playful profile complements grilled and smoked foods.

Pairs well with: Cheeseburger, Kabobs, Grilled Cheese, Fire Roasted Veggies and Meats

“Our carefully curated sakes really complement American culinary favorites like lobster rolls, seafood platters to even explosive flavors in Tex-Mex,” says George Kao, a longtime industry vet who began his culinary journey at D'Artagnan before moving on to NY Mutual Trading as Sake Educator for the East Coast. After nearly a decade in the sake industry, George joined Sun Noodle as the Director of Sales, championing ramen culture across the U.S. and Europe. “I can't wait to share these discoveries with everyone." 

The Breweries

Boken no. 77, Boken Nigori, and Boken Nana are all brewed at Hiraizumi Honpo by Masaaki Saito. Founded in 1487, Hiraizumi Honpo is Japan’s third oldest brewery, located in Akita Prefecture. Located at the foothills of Mount Chokai and right next to the Sea of Japan, the brewery faces harsh winters, providing a stable environment for the orthodox yamahai method that yields a rich and complex flavor.

Boken Ringo is brewed by Takagi Shuzo in Kochi Prefecture, founded in 1884. Takagi Brewery prides itself on producing sake made entirely with local ingredients. Because Kochi is the most typhoon-prone area in Japan, rice grains harvested in Kochi are unique and smaller than the ubiquitous Yamadanishiki or Gohyakumangoku rice grains. In addition to using local rice, the brewery uses 10 different yeasts that were developed and are only available in Kochi.

About Boken Sake

Boken Sake is a portfolio of purposefully curated, authentically Japanese sakes made by next generation brewers. The inaugural lineup - Boken Ringo, Boken no. 77, Boken Nigori, and Boken Nana - come from a collective of breweries, one dating back to 1487. Though varied in their characteristics, each Boken sake brings big, bold umami flavors that pair beautifully with New American food. Boken is launching at on-premise accounts in the U.S., and will also be available to purchase at select retail locations in NY and NJ.