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Sake Classification
Grades, Rice polishing & Taste

Premium Sake Classification

Explore the different classifications of Premium Sake... For high quality sake, rice is polished prior to processing with the goal of eliminating the bran and protein which encase the starch held at the center of the rice grain. The smaller the rice polishing ratio, the finer and more aromatic the sake.

Premium Sake Classification

What defines Premium Sake and its ingredients?

For premium, non-Junmai styles of sake, the addition of brewer’s alcohol under 10% of rice weight is permitted. For Junmai styles, however, this addition is prohibited and the sake must be made exclusively from polished rice and water. In the case of non-premium sake, the brewer has the liberty to make more additions, such as a greater amount of brewer’s alcohol and glutamate, among others.

The percentages on the bottle show the share of production in Japan claimed by each type of sake.

Rice polishing ratio defines quality and taste

For high quality Sake, the rice is polished before processing in order to obtain the highest possible proportion of the starch, which is concentrated in the centre of the Sake rice grain. The smaller the rice polishing ratio, the finer and more aromatic the Sake will be.

Rice polishing ratio

Categories of Premium Sake

Premium Sake is classified based on ingredients, polishing ratios, and brewing methods, resulting in distinct flavors and quality tiers. Explore the different categories of Premium Sake here...

純米大吟醸 Junmai Daiginjo Sake

Junmai Daiginjo is a particularly high-quality premium sake with a rice polishing rate 50%. It is brewed exclusively from water and rice without the addition of alcohol. Junmai Daiginjo demonstrates extremely harmonious aromas and flavours and is an exquisite pairing for all sorts of dishes from starters to main courses.

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Dassai 45
45
Dassai 45
DASSAI 45 has perfected its international appeal and is one of the best known Junmai Daiginjo in the...

0.3 Liter (€63.33* / 1 Liter)

From €19.00
Ikekame Turtle Red
Turtle Red
Ikekame Turtle Red
Turtle Red is a classic Junmai Daiginjo with a twist: it's brewed with black koji which produces a h...

0.72 Liter (€54.17* / 1 Liter)

€39.00
Amabuki Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Amabuki Rhododendron
Amabuki Rhododendron is a full-bodied Junmai Daiginjo, brewed with rare Rhododendron blossom yeast a...

0.18 Liter (€88.89* / 1 Liter)

From €16.00
Ninki Gold Label
Gold Label
Ninki Gold Label
Ninki Gold is an ideal Junmai Daiginjo sake offering excellent value for money. It is brewed in trad...

0.3 Liter (€53.33* / 1 Liter)

From €16.00
Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo Special
Junmai Daiginjo Special
Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo Special
This exceptional Junmai Daiginjo is a vintage sake that has been perfected in used Burgundy barrique...

0.72 Liter (€163.89* / 1 Liter)

€118.00
Dassai 23
23
Dassai 23
This sake is a world-renowned Junmai Daiginjo, famous for its extremely low polishing rate of just 2...

0.3 Liter (€163.33* / 1 Liter)

From €49.00
IWA IWA 5 Assemblage 5
IWA 5 Assemblage 5
IWA IWA 5 Assemblage 5
Richard Geoffroy, Chef de Cave at Dom Pérignon Champagne and current founder and creator of IWA 5, c...

0.72 Liter (€243.06* / 1 Liter)

€175.00
IWA IWA 5 Assemblage 3
IWA 5 Assemblage 3
IWA IWA 5 Assemblage 3
Richard Geoffroy, Chef de Cave at Dom Pérignon Champagne and current founder and creator of IWA 5, c...

0.72 Liter (€270.83* / 1 Liter)

€195.00

大吟醸 Daiginjo Sake

Daiginjo is a particularly high quality premium sake with a rice polishing ratio below 50%. The slight addition of brewed alcohol shortly before pressing releases additional aromas from the mash. Daiginjo is particularly aroma-intensive and shows a very soft texture. A pleasure for special moments, indeed.

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Fukuju Kobe Gold
Kobe Gold
Fukuju Kobe Gold
An elegant and smooth Daiginjo sake brewed with exquisite Yamada Nishiki rice from Hyogo Prefecture ...

0.3 Liter (€110.00* / 1 Liter)

From €33.00
Hatsumago Daiginjo
Daiginjo
Hatsumago Daiginjo
An elegant daiginjo brewed using the traditional kimoto method, which produces lactic acid in the sa...

0.72 Liter (€94.44* / 1 Liter)

€68.00
Ikekame Turtle Blue
Turtle Blue
Ikekame Turtle Blue
It is said in Japan that turtles are the bearers of good luck and have come to represent longevity. ...

0.72 Liter (€47.22* / 1 Liter)

€34.00
Kirin Hizoshu 5 Years
Hizoshu 5 Years
Kirin Hizoshu 5 Years
An exceptional, super-premium sake matured at 0°C for over 5 years. This careful ageing brings out e...

0.75 Liter (€145.33* / 1 Liter)

€109.00
Tatsuriki Dragon Blue
Dragon Blue
Tatsuriki Dragon Blue
A Daiginjo of exceptional finesse, brewed from Yamada Nishiki rice from the renowned rice fields in ...

0.72 Liter (€101.39* / 1 Liter)

€73.00
Fukuju Shizuku Jewelry
Shizuku Jewelry
Fukuju Shizuku Jewelry
Particularly fine and complex Daiginjo made from Yamada Nishiki rice, which has been polished to 35%...

0.72 Liter (€677.78* / 1 Liter)

€488.00
Fukuju Miyamizu Drop
Miyamizu Drop
Fukuju Miyamizu Drop
This Daiginjo is produced using the Shizuku method, in which the sake is collected drop by drop from...

0.72 Liter (€344.44* / 1 Liter)

€248.00
Amabuki Himmelswind
Himmelswind
Amabuki Himmelswind
Amabuki Himmelswind is an aromatic Daiginjo of the highest quality. This sake is brewed with a yeast...

0.18 Liter (€88.89* / 1 Liter)

From €16.00

純米吟醸 Junmai Ginjo Sake

Junmai Ginjo is a high quality premium sake that is brewed exclusively from water and rice without the addition of alcohol. The rice polishing ratio is below 60%. Junmai Ginjo has a slightly fruity aroma and a full-bodied taste. It is a versatile food companion.

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Amabuki Banana
Banana
Amabuki Banana
This Junmai Daiginjo offers a clear, sweet banana aroma on the nose and palate, created by a unique ...

0.72 Liter (€54.86* / 1 Liter)

€39.50
Amabuki Ichigo Cup
Ichigo Cup
Amabuki Ichigo Cup
This convenient cup sake is brewed with rare strawberry (ichigo) yeast and gently pasteurized. It is...

0.18 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

€9.00
Amabuki Himawari Cup
Himawari Cup
Amabuki Himawari Cup
This innovative cup sake is brewed with rare sunflower yeast (himawari) and is sure to impress with ...

0.18 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

€9.00
Amabuki Strawberry Blossom
Strawberry Blossom
Amabuki Strawberry Blossom
Amabuki Strawberry Blossom is unique in two distinct ways: it is brewed with yeasts cultivated from ...

0.72 Liter (€54.86* / 1 Liter)

€39.50
Yuki no Bosha Snow Crystal
Snow Crystal
Yuki no Bosha Snow Crystal
Clear Junmai Ginjo with a distinctly northern style from an old harbor town in Akita. The snowmelt w...

0.72 Liter (€54.86* / 1 Liter)

€39.50
Heavensake Junmai Ginjo
Junmai Ginjo
Heavensake Junmai Ginjo
The first thing to notice of this Junmai Ginjo are the delicate floral notes and a hint of citrus. F...

0.72 Liter (€68.06* / 1 Liter)

€49.00
Dewazakura Blüte des Nordens
Blüte des Nordens
Dewazakura Blüte des Nordens
DEWAZAKURA Blüte des Nordens thoroughly represents the Yamagata region where it comes from, where th...

0.3 Liter (€55.00* / 1 Liter)

From €16.50
Fukuju Kobe Classic
Kobe Classic
Fukuju Kobe Classic
This Junmai Ginjo is brewed in the historic sake village of Nada (Hyogo Prefecture) with the famous ...

0.3 Liter (€58.33* / 1 Liter)

From €17.50

吟醸 Ginjo Sake

Ginjo is a high quality premium sake with a rice polishing rate below 60%. Ginjo allows the addition of brewing alcohol in small quantities. Ginjo is fermented for a long time at a low temperature. It is fruity and aromatic with a delicate taste. It pairs well with light meals.

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Gekkeikan Kyoto Ginjo
Kyoto Ginjo
Gekkeikan Kyoto Ginjo
A cute old-fashioned ginjo in a retro bottle with a small cup as a cap. Gekkeikan became known as “t...

0.72 Liter (€76.39* / 1 Liter)

€55.00
Ninki Sake Barrel
Sake Barrel
Ninki Sake Barrel
This high-quality Ginjo is presented in a traditional sake barrel, wherein its balanced profile and ...

0.3 Liter (€143.33* / 1 Liter)

€43.00
Tip
Dewazakura Kirschblüte
Kirschblüte
Dewazakura Kirschblüte
DEWAZAKURA’s Kirschblüte has been a bestseller since the 1980s and played a significant role in kick...

0.3 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

From €15.00
Nanbu Bijin Ginjo
Ginjo
Nanbu Bijin Ginjo
In Iwate Prefecture, the NANBU BIJIN brewery produces this excellent ginjo sake from Miyama Nishiki ...

0.3 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

From €15.00

純米 Junmai Sake

Junmai is a premium sake, brewed exclusively from water and rice without the addition of brewed alcohol. Junmai has a strong and full-bodied profile. It is often brewed from regional rice varieties and represents the terroir of the brewery. It can often be enjoyed cool or warm.

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Daruma Masamune 1979
1979
Daruma Masamune 1979
The DARUMA MASAMUNE brewery is a pioneer and expert in matured sake and has a library of over 50 bac...

0.2 Liter (€1,800.00* / 1 Liter)

€360.00
Daruma Masamune 1989
1989
Daruma Masamune 1989
1989 was a year of great events in both Germany and Japan, marking the fall of the Berlin Wall and t...

0.2 Liter (€740.00* / 1 Liter)

€148.00
Shichiken Emperor Sake
Emperor Sake
Shichiken Emperor Sake
Cloudy, lightly effervescent Junmai with agreeable fruity aromas. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who he...

0.72 Liter (€54.17* / 1 Liter)

€39.00
Fukuju Awasaki Sparkling
Awasaki Sparkling
Fukuju Awasaki Sparkling
A mild, bottle-fermented sparkling sake with a light perlage - perhaps the perfect aperitif. The use...

0.3 Liter (€63.33* / 1 Liter)

€19.00
Tip
Urakasumi Tautropfen
Tautropfen
Urakasumi Tautropfen
A sake for non-sake drinkers and those who like it light. This sake was created in the 2010s at the ...

0.3 Liter (€48.33* / 1 Liter)

€14.50
Niida Shizenshu Red Label
Shizenshu Red Label
Niida Shizenshu Red Label
NIIDA HONKE follows the principle of “shizenshu” (“natural sake”) and brews “natural sake”. The rice...

0.72 Liter (€44.44* / 1 Liter)

€32.00
Shichiken Sparkling Blue Sky
Sparkling Blue Sky
Shichiken Sparkling Blue Sky
A combination of modern and traditional sake brewing techniques creates a diverse spectrum of flavor...

0.36 Liter (€97.22* / 1 Liter)

From €35.00
Gokyo Nene Sparkling
Nene Sparkling
Gokyo Nene Sparkling
A light sparkling sake with low alcohol content and fine perlage as a result of bottle fermentation....

0.3 Liter (€60.00* / 1 Liter)

€18.00

本醸造 Honjozo Sake

Honjozo is a premium sake that allows the addition of alcohol up to 10% of the rice weight. Honjozo's rice polishing ratio is below 70%. The sake usually appears light and fresh and goes particularly well with fish and seafood. Honjozo can usually be enjoyed cold and warm.

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Azuma Rikishi Sumo
Sumo
Azuma Rikishi Sumo
This Honjozo sake has notes of cereal, dried fruits, walnut, muesli, and coffee. On the palate, it h...

0.72 Liter (€36.11* / 1 Liter)

€26.00
Bijofu Honjozo
Honjozo
Bijofu Honjozo
Menge: 720ml
BIJOFU Honjozo is uniquely delicious within our sortiment and represents an outstanding quality-to-p...

0.72 Liter (€41.67* / 1 Liter)

€30.00
Yuki no Bosha Snow Hut
Snow Hut
Yuki no Bosha Snow Hut
This Honjozo sake is brewed with local rice using the Yamahai method yielding a fine acidity and sub...

0.72 Liter (€40.28* / 1 Liter)

€29.00
Urakasumi Honjozo
Honjozo
Urakasumi Honjozo
This Honjozo is characterized by its fresh aroma and light fruit character. The palate is mild and r...

0.72 Liter (€36.11* / 1 Liter)

€26.00
Hatsumago Kimoto Tradition
Kimoto Tradition
Hatsumago Kimoto Tradition
This rustic and umami-rich Honjozo, which is brewed using the traditional Kimoto method, was named b...

0.72 Liter (€34.72* / 1 Liter)

From €25.00
Masuizumi Karakuchi
Karakuchi
Masuizumi Karakuchi
This sake is considered the brewmaster's favorite and is ideal for everyday enjoyment. The term “kar...

0.72 Liter (€40.28* / 1 Liter)

From €27.00