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Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 15.20.18.png

Rakufumai Shiboritate

£38.00

Winter-only freshly pressed sake!

Rakufumai Shiboritate is the very first taste of the new brewing year. This winter-only sake has just arrived in the UK and is available in extremely limited quantities.

Shiboritate refers to sake that is bottled immediately after pressing, capturing it at its freshest and most vibrant. In Japan, these releases are eagerly awaited each winter, similar to Beaujolais Nouveau in the wine world for their early arrival and strong sense of seasonality.

Brewed using the rare sake rice Rakufumai, which is surprising to come across even in Japan, this sake is designed to highlight clarity, freshness and balance. The aroma is bright and refreshing, with notes of green apple, citrus fruits and a hint of mint, complemented by a subtle minerality.

On the palate, it is crisp and lively, with a clean, refreshing acidity that cuts beautifully through the gentle sweetness and umami. The overall impression is light and dangerously drinkable, with a dry, clean finish that invites another sip.

Izumibashi Brewery suggests pairing the sake with fresh and lightly seasoned dishes such as carpaccio, salt-lemon tempura, fried vegetables or seafood. It is best enjoyed chilled to emphasise its freshness, though it can also be enjoyed gently warmed for a softer winter expression.

This is a true seasonal sake, released only once a year. Once sold out, it will not be available again until the next brewing season.

Winter-only freshly pressed sake!

Rakufumai Shiboritate is the very first taste of the new brewing year. This winter-only sake has just arrived in the UK and is available in extremely limited quantities.

Shiboritate refers to sake that is bottled immediately after pressing, capturing it at its freshest and most vibrant. In Japan, these releases are eagerly awaited each winter, similar to Beaujolais Nouveau in the wine world for their early arrival and strong sense of seasonality.

Brewed using the rare sake rice Rakufumai, which is surprising to come across even in Japan, this sake is designed to highlight clarity, freshness and balance. The aroma is bright and refreshing, with notes of green apple, citrus fruits and a hint of mint, complemented by a subtle minerality.

On the palate, it is crisp and lively, with a clean, refreshing acidity that cuts beautifully through the gentle sweetness and umami. The overall impression is light and dangerously drinkable, with a dry, clean finish that invites another sip.

Izumibashi Brewery suggests pairing the sake with fresh and lightly seasoned dishes such as carpaccio, salt-lemon tempura, fried vegetables or seafood. It is best enjoyed chilled to emphasise its freshness, though it can also be enjoyed gently warmed for a softer winter expression.

This is a true seasonal sake, released only once a year. Once sold out, it will not be available again until the next brewing season.

  • ABV: 16%

    Volume: 720ml

    Brewery: Izumibashi

    Origin: Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

    Grade: Junmai Ginjo

    Rice Polishing Ratio: 55%

    Best Serving Temperature: 5°C - 15°C

    Storage: Keep in a cool, dark and dry place

  • The label of Rakufumai Shiboritate tells a quiet winter story rooted in the rice fields. In autumn, dragonflies lay their delicate eggs in the paddies, entrusting life to the next season. These eggs remain hidden beneath the soil and snow throughout the cold winter months, patiently waiting for the arrival of spring. On the label, a snowman stands gently above them, as if watching over the dragonfly eggs resting beneath the blanket of snow.

    The red dragonfly, commonly seen across Japan’s Kanto region where the brewery is located, is considered a symbol of life born and raised in rice fields, representing the rich ecosystem that supports rice cultivation. Izumibashi Brewery proudly uses the red dragonfly as its symbol mark, reflecting its deep connection to the land, the rice paddies, and the natural cycle that gives birth to sake.