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

0.72 Liter (€958.33 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €690.00
Dewazakura Ichiro
Ichiro
Dewazakura Ichiro
Junmai Daiginjo
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)

Regular price: €69.50
Heavensake Junmai Daiginjo
Junmai Daiginjo
Heavensake Junmai Daiginjo
Junmai Daiginjo
A bold floral bouquet of lily, iris and hyacinth and a taste of fresh berries. A Franco-Japanese com...

0.72 Liter (€152.78 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €110.00
Ikekame Turtle Red
Turtle Red
Ikekame Turtle Red
Junmai Daiginjo
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)

Regular price: €39.00
Imayo Tsukasa Koi
Koi
Imayo Tsukasa Koi
Junmai Daiginjo
This Junmai Daiginjo combines elegant bottle design with a complex flavor profile. Inspired by the g...

0.72 Liter (€155.56 / 1 Liter)

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

0.72 Liter (€152.78 / 1 Liter)

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

0.5 Liter (€280.00 / 1 Liter)

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

0.72 Liter (€819.44 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €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.

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Kirin Hizoshu 5 Years
Hizoshu 5 Years
Kirin Hizoshu 5 Years
Daiginjo, Koshu / Aged Sake
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)

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

0.72 Liter (€101.39 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €73.00
Hatsumago Daiginjo
Daiginjo
Hatsumago Daiginjo
Daiginjo, Kimoto/Yamahai
An elegant daiginjo brewed using the traditional kimoto method, which produces lactic acid in the sa...

0.72 Liter (€94.44 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €68.00
Ikekame Turtle Blue
Turtle Blue
Ikekame Turtle Blue
Daiginjo
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)

Regular price: €34.00
Fukuju Kobe Gold
Kobe Gold
Fukuju Kobe Gold
Daiginjo
An elegant and smooth Daiginjo sake brewed with exquisite Yamada Nishiki rice from Hyogo Prefecture ...

0.3 Liter (€110.00 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €72.00

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

0.3 Liter (€50.00 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €15.00
Fukuju Kobe Classic
Kobe Classic
Fukuju Kobe Classic
Junmai Ginjo
This Junmai Ginjo is brewed in the historic sake village of Nada (Hyogo Prefecture) with the famous ...

0.3 Liter (€58.33 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: From €17.50
Urakasumi Zen
Zen
Urakasumi Zen
Junmai Ginjo
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)

Regular price: €39.00
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Ikekame Junmai Ginjo Nama
Junmai Ginjo Nama
Ikekame Junmai Ginjo Nama
Junmai Ginjo, Nama (Namazake)
This "Nama" (unpasteurized) Junmai Ginjo is brewed from the local Yume Ikken rice variety and using ...

0.72 Liter (€48.61 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €35.00
Katsuyama Lei
Lei
Katsuyama Lei
Junmai Ginjo
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)

Regular price: €62.00
Shichiken Velvet
Velvet
Shichiken Velvet
Junmai Ginjo
As its name suggests, this is an elegant, velvety sake. Showing aromas of green apple, pears, mandar...

0.3 Liter (€53.33 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: From €16.00
Amabuki Strawberry Blossom
Strawberry Blossom
Amabuki Strawberry Blossom
Junmai Ginjo, Nama (Namazake)
Amabuki Strawberry Blossom is unique in two distinct ways: it is brewed with yeasts cultivated from ...

0.72 Liter (€54.86 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €39.50
Dewazakura Blüte des Nordens
Blüte des Nordens
Dewazakura Blüte des Nordens
Junmai Ginjo
DEWAZAKURA Blüte des Nordens thoroughly represents the Yamagata region where it comes from, where th...

0.3 Liter (€55.00 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: 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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Nanbu Bijin Ginjo
Ginjo
Nanbu Bijin Ginjo
Ginjo
In Iwate Prefecture, the NANBU BIJIN brewery produces this excellent ginjo sake from Miyama Nishiki ...

0.3 Liter (€50.00 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: From €15.00
Dewazakura Kirschblüte
Kirschblüte
Dewazakura Kirschblüte
Ginjo
DEWAZAKURA’s Kirschblüte has been a bestseller since the 1980s and played a significant role in kick...

0.3 Liter (€50.00 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: From €15.00
Ninki Sake Barrel
Sake Barrel
Ninki Sake Barrel
Ginjo
This high-quality Ginjo is presented in a traditional sake barrel, wherein its balanced profile and ...

0.3 Liter (€143.33 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €43.00
Gekkeikan Kyoto Ginjo
Kyoto Ginjo
Gekkeikan Kyoto Ginjo
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)

Regular price: €55.00

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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Amabuki Marigold Cup
Marigold Cup
Amabuki Marigold Cup
Junmai, Kimoto/Yamahai
Amabuki Marigold is a rich Junmai Sake brewed using the traditional Yamahai method, resulting in a c...

0.18 Liter (€50.00 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €9.00
Daruma Masamune 10 Years
10 Years
Daruma Masamune 10 Years
Junmai, Koshu / Aged Sake
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)

Regular price: €178.00
Daruma Masamune 1979
1979
Daruma Masamune 1979
Junmai, Koshu / Aged Sake
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)

Regular price: €360.00
Daruma Masamune 1989
1989
Daruma Masamune 1989
Junmai, Koshu / Aged Sake
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)

Regular price: €148.00
Fukuju Awasaki Sparkling
Awasaki Sparkling
Fukuju Awasaki Sparkling
Junmai, Sparkling Sake
A mild, bottle-fermented sparkling sake with a light perlage - perhaps the perfect aperitif. The use...

0.3 Liter (€63.33 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €19.00
Fukuju Kobe Special
Kobe Special
Fukuju Kobe Special
Junmai
This Tokubetsu Junmai Sake is brewed in the historic sake village of Nada with the famous "Miyamizu"...

0.72 Liter (€54.17 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €39.00
Heavensake Junmai 12
Junmai 12
Heavensake Junmai 12
Junmai
Light aroma of salted caramel, cocoa, almond and kumquat. Round on the palate, dry to off-dry, pleas...

0.72 Liter (€52.78 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €38.00
Hanatomoe 100
100
Hanatomoe 100
Junmai, Kimoto/Yamahai
This unique Junmai Taru sake is produced in the forests of Yoshino (Nara Prefecture), famous for its...

0.72 Liter (€86.11 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €62.00

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
Honjozo
This sake is considered the brewmaster's favorite and is ideal for everyday enjoyment. The term “kar...

0.72 Liter (€40.28 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: From €29.00
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Hatsumago Kimoto Tradition
Kimoto Tradition
Hatsumago Kimoto Tradition
Honjozo, Kimoto/Yamahai
This rustic and umami-rich Honjozo, which is brewed using the traditional Kimoto method, was named b...

0.72 Liter (€34.72 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: From €25.00
Yuki no Bosha Snow Hut
Snow Hut
Yuki no Bosha Snow Hut
Honjozo, Kimoto/Yamahai
This Honjozo sake is brewed with local rice using the Yamahai method yielding a fine acidity and sub...

0.72 Liter (€41.67 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €30.00
Urakasumi Honjozo
Honjozo
Urakasumi Honjozo
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)

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

0.72 Liter (€41.67 / 1 Liter)

Regular price: €30.00
Azuma Rikishi Sumo
Sumo
Azuma Rikishi Sumo
Honjozo
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)

Regular price: €26.00