FOREST GROVE, Ore., May 26, 2026 — SakéOne, the pioneer in American craft saké brewing, is proud to announce its latest premium release: Omachi Junmai Ginjo Genshu under the Shogun by Momokawa label. This bold saké is the result of unique craftsmanship, blending centuries of Japanese brewing heritage with the innovative spirit of America’s Pacific Northwest.
This release builds on the momentum of the initial release under the Shogun by Momokawa brand, Gohyakumangoku, which won a gold medal at this year’s Tokyo Sake Challenge. That accolade has raised the bar for the brewery, establishing an exciting new benchmark of excellence for the brewing team.
A “Shogun Warrior” of Rice
At the heart of this new release lies Omachi, an ancient pure sakamai revered for earthy, herbal complexity, and one that SakéOne refers to as a “Shogun warrior” of rice. This rice variety is renowned for producing saké with beautiful texture, vibrant acidity and umami.
For this special release, SakéOne sourced Omachi rice from Isbell Farms in Arkansas. The resulting saké is full-bodied and layered, with expressive character, balance and an elegant finish.
A Masterpiece of Craft
Crafting Shogun presented a new challenge for SakéOne’s brewing team. Takumi Kuwabara, SakéOne’s Toji (brewmaster), tapped into the collective knowledge amassed over 1,000 previous brewing batches to unlock the potential of this rice variety and create a one-of-a-kind saké.
“Brewing this saké presented a unique opportunity for us,” Kuwabara says. “Omachi is an original, heirloom saké rice variety known for its big, bold profile. Before brewing, we studied Omachi’s history in Japan to see how we could honor its heritage in Oregon. Our goal was to take that ancient knowledge and transform it into something new and beautiful that elevates our brewery to the highest level.”
“Our team meticulously monitored and executed every step of this process. This batch differs significantly from our first Shogun saké due to seasonal temperature shifts, both in the air and the water, and the hand-crafted koji we developed specifically for it. The longer, more technical brewing stages required daily care. Furthermore, Omachi grain has a much more pronounced shinpaku (starchy core) than Gohyakumangoku. Polishing the rice to 60% helped us unlock ginjo flavors and aromas while maintaining a balance of umami.”
“Following our recent achievement at the Tokyo Sake Challenge, the bar continues to rise for SakéOne,” said Paul Englert, president and CEO of SakéOne. “Shogun Omachi rises to that challenge, delivering a powerful yet refined experience that showcases the technical precision of Toji Takumi Kuwabara and our brewing staff. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to defining the absolute pinnacle of American craft saké and embracing innovation in our saké making.”
Shogun Omachi launched this month as a limited-edition release under SakéOne’s Momokawa label. Like Gohyakumangoku, it is available exclusively to SakéOne club members and to visitors of the Tasting Room in Forest Grove. Both Omachi and Gohyakumangoku will be available at the upcoming WasabiFest in Portland on June 13, while supplies last. For tickets and more information on the festival, visit wasabifestpdx.com. The company plans to increase production over time to allow Shogun to be more broadly available.
About SakéOne
SakéOne is America’s pioneering craft saké brewery, blending time-honored Japanese brewing traditions with innovative techniques to provide premium saké to the U.S. market. Founded in 1992 as an importer of exceptional Japanese saké, SakéOne began brewing in 1997, becoming the nation’s first successful craft saké brewery. Using pristine, abundant Oregon water and premium rice grown in California’s Sacramento Valley, SakéOne is committed to uncompromising quality and craftsmanship. SakéOne produces a growing portfolio of locally brewed saké under its Momokawa, Moonstone, g, Yomi, and Naginata brands, while continuing to import a curated selection of saké from some of Japan’s most celebrated brewing prefectures. SakéOne’s corporate offices, kura (brewery) and tasting room are located in Forest Grove, Oregon. Visit sakeone.com for more information, to order saké, or to use the store locator at sakeone.com/locator. Follow SakéOne on Instagram and Facebook.
