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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 (CHF 1,277.78* / 1 Liter)

CHF 920.00
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 (CHF 127.78* / 1 Liter)

CHF 92.00
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 (CHF 194.44* / 1 Liter)

CHF 140.00
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 (CHF 70.42* / 1 Liter)

CHF 50.70
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 (CHF 176.11* / 1 Liter)

CHF 126.80
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 (CHF 176.11* / 1 Liter)

CHF 126.80
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 (CHF 847.22* / 1 Liter)

CHF 610.00
Masuizumi Henri Giraud
Henri Giraud
Masuizumi Henri Giraud
Junmai Daiginjo, Koshu / Aged Sake
This Junmai Daiginjo is an exclusive Koshu that was named the best Koshu at the 2020 International W...

0.75 Liter (CHF 340.00* / 1 Liter)

CHF 255.00

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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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 (CHF 69.44* / 1 Liter)

CHF 50.00
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 (CHF 166.67* / 1 Liter)

CHF 125.00
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 (CHF 136.25* / 1 Liter)

CHF 98.10
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 (CHF 147.00* / 1 Liter)

CHF 92.10

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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Sawa no hana Himari
Himari
Sawa no hana Himari
Junmai Ginjo
“Himari,” means ‘the gift of the sun,’ and evokes visions of sunflowers and sunkissed locales. This ...

0.72 Liter (CHF 70.42* / 1 Liter)

CHF 50.70
Hatsumago Biho
Biho
Hatsumago Biho
Biho (beautiful foam) is a sparkling Junmai Ginjo sake brewed using the traditional Kimoto method, i...

0.3 Liter (CHF 86.67* / 1 Liter)

CHF 26.00
Ninki Green Nature Sake
Green Nature Sake
Ninki Green Nature Sake
Junmai Ginjo
Green Nature Junmai Ginjo is a natural sake, traditionally brewed in large cedar barrels, ideal for ...

0.72 Liter (CHF 70.42* / 1 Liter)

CHF 50.70
Gokyo Junmai Ginjo
Junmai Ginjo
Gokyo Junmai Ginjo
Junmai Ginjo
Elegant and juicy Junmai Ginjo brewed with the soft water of the Nishiki River and highly polished Y...

0.72 Liter (CHF 70.42* / 1 Liter)

CHF 50.70
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 (CHF 66.67* / 1 Liter)

From CHF 20.00
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 (CHF 71.33* / 1 Liter)

From CHF 21.40
Rihaku Wandering Poet
Wandering Poet
Rihaku Wandering Poet
Junmai Ginjo
A renowned Junmai Ginjo sake from Shimane Prefecture which was named after the legendary Chinese poe...

0.3 Liter (CHF 71.33* / 1 Liter)

From CHF 21.40
Tsuki no Katsura Yanagi
Yanagi
Tsuki no Katsura Yanagi
Junmai Ginjo
TSUKI NO KATSURA is one of the oldest breweries in the famous sake district of Fushimi in Kyoto and ...

0.3 Liter (CHF 91.67* / 1 Liter)

CHF 73.00

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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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 (CHF 165.67* / 1 Liter)

CHF 49.70
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 (CHF 73.33* / 1 Liter)

From CHF 22.00
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 (CHF 58.00* / 1 Liter)

From CHF 19.15

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 (CHF 74.44* / 1 Liter)

CHF 13.40
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 (CHF 305.56* / 1 Liter)

CHF 220.00
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 (CHF 1,200.00* / 1 Liter)

CHF 240.00
Daruma Masamune 2011
2011
Daruma Masamune 2011
Junmai, Koshu / Aged Sake
Gereifter Koshu Sake mit süßlichen Aromen wie Vanille, Honig und Karamel. Mit seiner zarten Säure er...

0.5 Liter (CHF 114.00* / 1 Liter)

CHF 57.00
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 (CHF 66.67* / 1 Liter)

CHF 20.00
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 (CHF 70.42* / 1 Liter)

CHF 50.70
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 (CHF 68.06* / 1 Liter)

CHF 49.00
Ikekame Turtle Black
Turtle Black
Ikekame Turtle Black
Junmai
IKEKAME’s entry-level Sake, Turtle Black, is a delicious Junmai with plenty of umami character. The ...

0.72 Liter (CHF 51.94* / 1 Liter)

CHF 37.40

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 (CHF 56.94* / 1 Liter)

From CHF 34.70
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 (CHF 47.22* / 1 Liter)

From CHF 34.00
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 (CHF 55.56* / 1 Liter)

CHF 40.00
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 (CHF 52.78* / 1 Liter)

CHF 38.00
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 (CHF 55.56* / 1 Liter)

CHF 40.00