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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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Dewazakura Yukimegami
Yukimegami
Dewazakura Yukimegami
Junmai Daiginjo
Dewazakura Yukimegami 48 is an elegant Junmai Daiginjo from Yamagata. Its regional Yukimegami rice w...

0.72 Liter (€62.50* / 1 Liter)

€45.00
Amabuki Himmelswind Junmai Daiginjo
Himmelswind Junmai Daiginjo
Amabuki Himmelswind Junmai Daiginjo
Junmai Daiginjo
Dieser ausdrucksstarke Junmai Daiginjo, gebraut mit der seltenen Blütenhefe der Wunderblume, begeist...

0.72 Liter (€86.11* / 1 Liter)

€62.00
Tip
Shichiken Hakushin - White Core
Hakushin - White Core
Shichiken Hakushin - White Core
Junmai Daiginjo
Hakushin is "Champion Sake"—the highest award of the 2025 International Wine Challenge (IWC). With t...

0.75 Liter (€393.33* / 1 Liter)

€295.00
Shichiken Silk
Silk
Shichiken Silk
Junmai Daiginjo
Each product from the Shichiken Brewery is somehow softer and more luxurious than the previous one -...

0.3 Liter (€63.33* / 1 Liter)

From €19.00
Ninki Gold Label
Gold Label
Ninki Gold Label
Junmai Daiginjo
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
Dassai 45
45
Dassai 45
Junmai Daiginjo
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 39
39
Dassai 39
Junmai Daiginjo
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 23
23
Dassai 23
Junmai Daiginjo
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

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
Daiginjo
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
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)

€109.00
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)

€34.00
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)

€68.00
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)

€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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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)

€39.50
Heavensake Junmai Ginjo
Junmai Ginjo
Heavensake Junmai Ginjo
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
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)

€62.00
Katsuyama Ken
Ken
Katsuyama Ken
Junmai Ginjo
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
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)

€15.00
Toko JG Genshu
JG Genshu
Toko JG Genshu
Genshu, Junmai Ginjo
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
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
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)

€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.

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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)

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)

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)

€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)

€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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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 100 Years Kijoshu 2024
100 Years Kijoshu 2024
Niida 100 Years Kijoshu 2024
Junmai, Kijoshu (double fermented)
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 Kioke
Shizenshu Kioke
Niida Shizenshu Kioke
Junmai, Kimoto/Yamahai
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 Shizenshu Red Label
Shizenshu Red Label
Niida Shizenshu Red Label
Junmai, Kimoto/Yamahai
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
Junmai, Rosé Sake
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
Junmai
...

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
Junmai
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
Junmai
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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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)

€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)

€30.00
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 (€40.28* / 1 Liter)

€29.00
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)

€26.00
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)

From €25.00
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)

From €29.00