(New York, NY) October 7, 2025 — Boken Sake is proud to announce a partnership with Massanois, a New York City-based national importer and distributor of fine wine and craft spirits. Massanois will distribute Boken in all eight of its markets: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, California, Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia. In addition, Boken will expand to Kansas and Missouri with Vintegrity Wine & Spirits; Georgia with Savannah Distributing; and Tennessee with TriStar Beverage of Chattanooga.
Boken’s portfolio of innovative and food-friendly sakes crafted by next generation brewers in Japan include Boken Ringo, Boken no. 77, Boken Nigori, and Boken Nana (all Junmai Ginjo – rice and water milled to 60%). Founder and CEO Daisuke Nakajima founded Boken after extensive visits to breweries throughout Japan, and is spotlighting next generation brewers bringing big, bold umami flavors to sake. Boken Sake ($51-$58/720 ml) is available at on and off-premise accounts.
“We launched Boken to broaden the appeal of sake beyond traditional Japanese cuisine,” says Daisuke. "We are truly excited to collaborate with our distributors to further our mission of introducing sake to a wider and more diverse audience. Massanois and Vintegrity, in particular, are highly respected for their outstanding portfolios of fine wines, and we are thrilled to work with such like-minded partners who share our passion for quality and authenticity.”
Boken’s mission is to preserve the rich Japanese tradition of sake and present 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
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 available at on and off-premise accounts in the U.S. and is also available to purchase online. For more information about Boken, follow on IG @drinkboken.
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