Kikusui “Funaguchi” Original Gold
Kikusui · NiigataKikusui Funaguchi Original Gold is a canned Honjozo nama genshu from Niigata: unpasteurized, undiluted, and 19% ABV. Kikusui describes a fresh fruity aroma, rich full-bodied flavor, and a clean finish, with the profile becoming mellower and fuller as the unpasteurized sake ages in the can.
Why we recommend it
The key to Funaguchi is format and process rather than polish prestige: it is a 19% nama genshu protected from light in an aluminum can. The current producer specification is Honjozo at 70% rice polishing, not Ginjo at 55%.
Quick Reference
Best for
Drinkers who want to understand the concentrated, fresh style of a 19% canned nama genshu rather than choosing sake by polish level alone.
Taste in brief
Kikusui describes fresh fruit-like aroma, rich full-bodied flavor, and a refreshing clean finish; aging in the can makes the profile mellower and fuller.
What makes it distinct
Kikusui launched Funaguchi in 1972 after developing an aluminum-can format that protects delicate unpasteurized, undiluted sake from light while limiting air exposure.
Character
Technical profile
Details shown only when verified against a reliable source. How we verify specs →
- Rice variety
- Niigata-grown rice
- Rice polishing ratio
- 70%
- Pasteurization
- Nama (unpasteurized)
- Dilution
- Genshu (undiluted)
- Brewing features
- Canned
- Alcohol by volume
- 19%
- Recommended temperature
- Chilled (8–12°C), Room temperature (15–20°C), Lukewarm (35–40°C), Hot (50–55°C)
How to serve
The current Japanese producer page supports on-the-rocks, chilled, room-temperature, lukewarm, and hot service. The English page also highlights chilled, frozen, on-the-rocks, and cocktail use.
Explore further
Sources
- https://tippsysake.com/products/kikusui-funaguchi (internal_only)
- https://www.kikusui-sake.com/home/jp/products/funaguchi/ (summary_only)
- https://www.kikusui-sake.com/home/en/p/funaguchi_ichiban_shibori.html (summary_only)