Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation
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.

Skip product gallery
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
Dewazakura Ichiro
Ichiro
Dewazakura Ichiro
DEWAZAKURA Ichiro is, as its name suggests, a serious contender for the best of the best, having won...

0.72 Liter (€96.53* / 1 Liter)

€69.50
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
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
Imayo Tsukasa Koi
Koi
Imayo Tsukasa Koi
This Junmai Daiginjo combines elegant bottle design with a complex flavor profile. Inspired by the g...

0.72 Liter (€155.56* / 1 Liter)

€112.00
Katsuyama Den
Den
Katsuyama Den
This elegant Junmai Daiginjo is a masterpiece of the traditional art of sake brewing. Made from extr...

0.72 Liter (€152.78* / 1 Liter)

€110.00
Katsuyama Gen
Gen
Katsuyama Gen
A truly liquid jewel, inspired by the legendary Sauternes, Château d'Yquem. This dessert sake impres...

0.5 Liter (€280.00* / 1 Liter)

€140.00
Katsuyama Diamond
Diamond
Katsuyama Diamond
The “liquid diamond” - a masterpiece made from Yamada Nishiki rice, polished to 35%, from the Specia...

0.72 Liter (€819.44* / 1 Liter)

€590.00

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.

Skip product gallery
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
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
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

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.

Skip product gallery
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
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
Katsuyama Lei
Lei
Katsuyama Lei
A unique sake with a creamy, complex sweetness and balanced umami - Japan's answer to a German Spätl...

0.72 Liter (€86.11* / 1 Liter)

€62.00
Katsuyama Ken
Ken
Katsuyama Ken
IWC Champion Sake 2019 and Kura Master Platinum - an exceptional Junmai Ginjo with Junmai Daiginjo q...

0.72 Liter (€76.39* / 1 Liter)

€55.00
Ninki Sparkling J-Ginjo
Sparkling J-Ginjo
Ninki Sparkling J-Ginjo
Ninki Sparkling is one of our best-selling sparkling sakes and impresses with its fine perlage, whic...

0.3 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

€15.00
Toko JG Genshu
JG Genshu
Toko JG Genshu
For this Junmai Ginjo, TOKO selects the regional Dewano Sato rice variety from Yamagata, which gives...

0.72 Liter (€54.17* / 1 Liter)

€39.00
Tedorigawa Shukon Junmai Ginjo
Shukon Junmai Ginjo
Tedorigawa Shukon Junmai Ginjo
An exceptionally harmonious Junmai Ginjo intended as an ideal companion for classic Japanese dishes....

0.72 Liter (€54.17* / 1 Liter)

€39.00
Urakasumi Zen
Zen
Urakasumi Zen
This sake was one of the first Junmai Ginjo to be launched in Japan. It was introduced back in 1973....

0.72 Liter (€54.17* / 1 Liter)

€39.00

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.

Skip product gallery
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.

Skip product gallery
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
Amabuki I love Sushi
I love Sushi
Amabuki I love Sushi
Created to be enjoyed with sushi and sashimi: this light, dry sake is ready to drink straight from t...

0.72 Liter (€40.97* / 1 Liter)

€29.50
Amabuki I love Sushi Cup
I love Sushi Cup
Amabuki I love Sushi Cup
Created to be enjoyed with sushi and sashimi: this light, dry sake is ready to drink straight from t...

0.18 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

€9.00
Amabuki Marigold Cup
Marigold Cup
Amabuki Marigold Cup
Gebraut mit der Blütenhefe der Ringelblume (Marigold), entfaltet Aromen von Walnuß und gerösteten Ce...

0.18 Liter (€50.00* / 1 Liter)

€9.00
Amabuki Rosé
Rosé
Amabuki Rosé
Amabuki Rosé impresses with its wine-like character and its enchanting pink color, brought about by ...

0.18 Liter (€66.67* / 1 Liter)

From €12.00
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
Daruma Masamune 2023
2023
Daruma Masamune 2023
The DARUMA MASAMUNE brewery is a pioneer and specialist in aged sake. Their vintage sake is rich in ...

0.5 Liter (€100.00* / 1 Liter)

€50.00
Daruma Masamune 10 Years
10 Years
Daruma Masamune 10 Years
Amber-colored, Koshu sake cuvée from 5 different vintages of at least 10 years of age. The DARUMA MA...

0.72 Liter (€247.22* / 1 Liter)

€178.00

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.

Skip product gallery
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