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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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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 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
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
Dassai 39
39
Dassai 39
This sake was named after its low polishing rate and is a distinctly aromatic and juicy Junmai Daigi...

0.3 Liter (€96.67* / 1 Liter)

From €29.00
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
Dassai Beyond
Beyond
Dassai Beyond
This sake is the top product of the world-famous producer, DASSAI, brewed specifically with the goal...

0.72 Liter (€958.33* / 1 Liter)

€690.00
Bijofu Mai
Mai
Bijofu Mai
BIJOFU Honjozo is uniquely delicious within our sortiment and represents an outstanding quality-to-p...

0.72 Liter (€59.72* / 1 Liter)

€43.00
Heavensake Junmai Daiginjo
Junmai Daiginjo
Heavensake Junmai Daiginjo
A bold floral bouquet of lily, iris and hyacinth and a taste of fresh berries. A Franco-Japanese com...

0.72 Liter (€145.83* / 1 Liter)

€105.00

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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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
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
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
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
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
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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Yuki no Bosha Snow Crystal
Yuki No Bosha 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...

0.18 Liter (€63.89* / 1 Liter)

From €11.50
Rihaku Wandering Poet
Wandering Poet
Rihaku Wandering Poet
A renowned Junmai Ginjo sake from Shimane Prefecture which was named after the legendary Chinese poe...

0.3 Liter (€53.33* / 1 Liter)

From €16.00
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
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
Tip
Ikekame Junmai Ginjo Nama
Junmai Ginjo Nama
Ikekame Junmai Ginjo Nama
This "Nama" (unpasteurized) Junmai Ginjo is brewed from the local Yume Ikken rice variety and using ...

0.72 Liter (€48.61* / 1 Liter)

€35.00
Shichiken Velvet
Velvet
Shichiken Velvet
As its name suggests, this is an elegant, velvety sake. Showing aromas of green apple, pears, mandar...

0.3 Liter (€53.33* / 1 Liter)

From €15.00
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 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

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
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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Tatsuriki Little Dragon Cup
Little Dragon Cup
Tatsuriki Little Dragon Cup
The TATSURIKI brewery owns rice fields in the best location in Hyogo Prefecture (Special A), which i...

0.18 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

€9.00
SHO-KU Batch R508 Kameno-o
Batch R508 Kameno-o
SHO-KU Batch R508 Kameno-o
This Junmai sake is brewed from 100% Kameno-o rice — a rare, originally wild variety that is natural...

0.72 Liter (€62.50* / 1 Liter)

€45.00
Hanatomoe 100
100
Hanatomoe 100
This unique Junmai Taru sake is produced in the forests of Yoshino (Nara Prefecture), famous for its...

0.72 Liter (€86.11* / 1 Liter)

€62.00
Toko Pure Rice
Pure Rice
Toko Pure Rice
Menge: 720ml
This Junmai sake from the snowy Yamagata region creates with its soft, mild, and pure rice flavor, a...

0.72 Liter (€38.89* / 1 Liter)

€28.00
Amabuki Marigold
Marigold
Amabuki Marigold
Amabuki Marigold is a rich Junmai Sake brewed using the traditional Yamahai method, resulting in a c...

0.18 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

From €9.00
Bijofu Junmai
Junmai
Bijofu Junmai
Highly aromatic and fresh, Bijofu Junmai is a modern Sake fit for every occasion. Its brewing proces...

0.72 Liter (€44.44* / 1 Liter)

From €29.50
Yuki no Bosha Yamahai Black
Yamahai Black
Yuki no Bosha Yamahai Black
This elegant Yamahai sake is like a good, old friend: it will accompany you through an entire dinner...

0.18 Liter (€55.56* / 1 Liter)

From €10.00
Urakasumi Junmai
Junmai
Urakasumi Junmai
The quintessential Junmai sake with a mild, harmonious flavor and aromas of green apple, ripe banana...

0.3 Liter (€48.33* / 1 Liter)

From €14.50

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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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
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