Ep. 38: Brewery Focus. Noguchi Sake Institute with Tengu Sake Artwork

Sugidama Sake Podcast

This is a podcast to chronicle my journey into the world of sake and other Japanese drinks, food, culture and history. While I have a sake qualification (International Kikisake-shi), I still consider myself as a novice in the sake world. I have plenty to learn about the drink and I want to share this experience with my listeners through personal accounts, interesting facts about sake and interviews with sake experts.

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Sugidama Sake Podcast

Ep. 38: Brewery Focus. Noguchi Sake Institute with Tengu Sake

December 15, 2022 • Alex • Season 4 • Episode 38

Noguchi Naohiko is a legend in the world of sake. He has been making sake since 1949 and is widely known as the God of Sake Brewing. After working at a number of breweries as a toji (master brewer) he now heads The Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute (NNSI) established in 2017 with the vision of passing Noguchi-Toji’s skill, spirit and sake philosophy to a new generation of brewers.

At last, Noguchi sake is available in the UK thanks to Tengu Sake and its charismatic owner, Oliver Hilton-Johnson. Oliver has already been on Sugidama Podcast two years ago in Episode 09. So we sat with him, tried three Noguchi sake and talked about the master, the brewery and the sake as well as about a few other things.

Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

Episode's Content:

Who is Noguchi Naohiko, the God of Sake Brewing?
Noguchi sake style
Noguchi Naohiko's philosophy of sake brewing
Sake 01: Junmai 2020
Sake 02: Yamahai Gohyakumangoku 2018
Sake and beer, food and terroir
Sake 03: Yamahai Miyama Nishiki 2018
What was our favourite sake of the evening?

Kampai!
Sake mentioned:
Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Junmai 2020
Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute
Tengu Sake

Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Yamahai Gohyakumangoku 2018
Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute
Tengu Sake

Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Yamahai Miyama Nishiki 2018
Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute
Tengu Sake

The Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute

Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

Music used:
Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Vocal: Svetlana