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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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Toko Fukurotsuri Drop 18
Fukurotsuri Drop 18
Toko Fukurotsuri Drop 18
This highly elegant Junmai Daiginjo from Yamagata was awarded the prestigious IWC Junmai Daiginjo Tr...

0.72 Liter (€344.44* / 1 Liter)

€248.00
Katsuyama DATE SEVEN
DATE SEVEN
Katsuyama DATE SEVEN
DATE SEVEN is an exclusive Junmai Daiginjo brewed jointly by seven renowned sake breweries from Miya...

0.72 Liter (€97.22* / 1 Liter)

€70.00
Tatsuriki Akitsu Grand Cru
Akitsu Grand Cru
Tatsuriki Akitsu Grand Cru
Die Tatsuriki Brauerei machte sich auf die Suche nach der allerbesten Yamada Nishiki Reisqualität, u...

0.72 Liter (€625.00* / 1 Liter)

€450.00
IWA IWA 5 Assemblage 4
IWA 5 Assemblage 4
IWA IWA 5 Assemblage 4
IWA 5 Assemblage 4 combines elegance and depth, composed of Yamada Nishiki, Omachi and Gohyakumangok...

0.72 Liter (€243.06* / 1 Liter)

€175.00
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
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
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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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
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
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)

€72.00
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
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

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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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
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
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
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
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
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
Urakasumi No.12
No.12
Urakasumi No.12
This Junmai Ginjo is brewed with the sake yeast “No.12”, which was discovered and bred at the URAKAS...

0.72 Liter (€54.17* / 1 Liter)

€39.00
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

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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Niida Shizenshu Kioke
Shizenshu Kioke
Niida Shizenshu Kioke
NIIDA HONKE follows the principle of “Shizenshu” (“natural sake”): the rice is home-grown in organic...

0.72 Liter (€58.33* / 1 Liter)

€42.00
Niida 100 Years Kijoshu 2024
100 Years Kijoshu 2024
Niida 100 Years Kijoshu 2024
This unique kijoshu was first produced in 2011 to mark the 300th anniversary of the brewery's foundi...

0.72 Liter (€100.00* / 1 Liter)

€72.00
Niida Shizenshu Nigori
Shizenshu Nigori
Niida Shizenshu Nigori
Niida Shizenshu Nigori is an exceptionally creamy Junmai sake from Niida Honke Brewery in Fukushima....

0.72 Liter (€58.33* / 1 Liter)

€42.00
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
Kikusakari Sunrise
Sunrise
Kikusakari Sunrise
Three rice varieties (Asamurasaki, Miyama Nishiki and Gohyakumangoku) are brewed together for this s...

0.3 Liter (€63.33* / 1 Liter)

From €19.00
New
Sawa no hana Kokoro
Kokoro
Sawa no hana Kokoro
...

0.72 Liter (€44.44* / 1 Liter)

€32.00
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
SHO-KU Batch R302 Koshi-hikari
Batch R302 Koshi-hikari
SHO-KU Batch R302 Koshi-hikari
Dies ist der zweite batch, der in der LAGOON Brauerei jemals gebraut wurde. Für das Brauen wurden 10...

0.72 Liter (€83.33* / 1 Liter)

€60.00

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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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 €29.00
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
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
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
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
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