INI

Japanese Sake Classifications - INI

Special designation sake (Tokutei Meishōshu) refers to high-quality Japanese sake that meets specific standards for ingredients, production methods, and quality, as defined by the National Tax Agency's 'Standards for the Manufacturing Process and Quality Labeling of Sake.' These are divided into two major categories: the Junmai series (Junmai Daiginjo, Junmai Ginjo, Tokubetsu Junmai, Junmai) made without added alcohol, and the Honjozo series (Daiginjo, Ginjo, Tokubetsu Honjozo, Honjozo) which may contain a small amount of brewer's alcohol. The 8 types are classified based on rice polishing ratio and ingredients.

Japanese sake nihonshu sake classification junmai ginjo daiginjo honjozo National Tax Agency

[item.junmai-daiginjo]
code=01
slug=junmai-daiginjo
name=Junmai Daiginjo
description=The highest grade of pure rice sake brewed with rice polished to 50% or less using ginjo methods.
alcoholAdded=false
category=junmai
polishingRatio=50%以下

[item.junmai-ginjo]
code=02
slug=junmai-ginjo
name=Junmai Ginjo
description=Pure rice sake brewed with rice polished to 60% or less using ginjo methods.
alcoholAdded=false
category=junmai
polishingRatio=60%以下

[item.tokubetsu-junmai]
code=03
slug=tokubetsu-junmai
name=Tokubetsu Junmai
description=Pure rice sake brewed with rice polished to 60% or less or using special methods.
alcoholAdded=false
category=junmai
polishingRatio=60%以下または特別製法

[item.junmai]
code=04
slug=junmai
name=Junmai
description=Japanese sake brewed using only rice, rice koji, and water.
alcoholAdded=false
category=junmai
polishingRatio=規定なし

[item.daiginjo]
code=05
slug=daiginjo
name=Daiginjo
description=The highest grade of sake brewed with rice polished to 50% or less using ginjo methods.
alcoholAdded=true
category=honjozo
polishingRatio=50%以下

[item.ginjo]
code=06
slug=ginjo
name=Ginjo
description=Sake brewed with rice polished to 60% or less using ginjo methods.
alcoholAdded=true
category=honjozo
polishingRatio=60%以下

[item.tokubetsu-honjozo]
code=07
slug=tokubetsu-honjozo
name=Tokubetsu Honjozo
description=Honjozo sake brewed with rice polished to 60% or less or using special methods.
alcoholAdded=true
category=honjozo
polishingRatio=60%以下または特別製法

[item.honjozo]
code=08
slug=honjozo
name=Honjozo
description=Sake brewed with rice polished to 70% or less with a small amount of brewer's alcohol added.
alcoholAdded=true
category=honjozo
polishingRatio=70%以下