Junmai Daiginjo & Daiginjo
These two categories represent the best of the best, the “A-list” in the sake maker’s industry.
The Junmai Daiginjo category has the highest standards of milling rates in the sake market with a minimum of 50% rice polishing and 50% remaining. But that standard is often surpassed by brewers looking to push the rice milling envelope that results in sakes that can be milled down to 35% down to 23% and even 7% remaining figures. These Ultra and Uber Junmai Daiginjo all drink with an elegance and sophistication of flavors and complexities. The entire category is exceptional for consuming on special occasions and gifting. Junmai Daiginjo sakes are fantastic on their own and great with Champagne fare and elegant appetizers. They are always served chilled.
The Daiginjo category has the same milling standards of 50% removal and 50% remaining but sake makers add a little “brewer’s alcohol” to lighten the brew and bring out more aromatics and softer textures. When sake maker’s send their brews to National Sake Appraisals and Competitions they usually send their Daiginjo sake. They are the ultimate Competition sakes that just jump out of the glass. Always served chilled they pair well with shellfish, sushi, sashimi, and elegant cocktail passing fare.
Dewazakura Mini-Daiginjo "Sakura Boy"
fat, fruity, floral.The nose on this special Daiginjo is a wonderful collection of fruity and floral elements ranging from green apple and honeydew, to clover honey an...
View full detailsStella Junmai Daiginjo Shizuku Muroka Genshu
fruity, silky, slippery.The nose on this “Drip” or Shizuku sake is a gentle collection of steamed rice, pear, and citrus aromas. Talk about a fun sake! This brew is round,...
View full detailsMiyosakae Tenmi Junmai Daiginjo "Taste of Heaven"
a parade of flavors on a bright day.The nose on this extremely well-packaged sake is a tapestry of blueberry, pear, mango, and honeydew wafts. This very bright and fruit-forward Daigi...
View full detailsSuigei Harmony Junmai Daiginjo "Drunken Whale"
young pear, dry, easy.The nose on this prototypical “fruity” Junmai Daiginjo is a wicked collection of tropical aromas such as strawberry, mango, papaya, honeydew, ripe ...
View full detailsIchinokura Junmai Daiginjo "Kura no Hana"
melon, berries, comfort.This sake made with a special Miyagi Prefecture brewing rice called Kura no Hana has a rich nose filled with strawberry, honeydew melon, and floral...
View full detailsOhmine 3 Grain "Yamadanishiki"
muscat grape, gentle, balanced.The nose on this trendy Yamaguchi brew is a slick collection of powdered sugar, grape, kiwi, tangerine, butter, and mineral water aromas. Ohmine is...
View full detailsKokuryu Ryu Daiginjo "Gold Dragon"
complex, flinty, dry.The nose is filled with pineapple, koji rice, taffy, and white flower blossoms. The prototypical Daiginjo experience with a flavor that is there, a...
View full detailsKubota Hekiju Junmai Daiginjo “100 Ostentatious-nesses”
ripe pear, grape, stellar.This Daiginjo is the perfect example of a Niigata-style sake known as tanrei karakuchi or light and dry. Hekijyu has nutmeg and pear on the nose, a...
View full detailsAkitabare Suirakuten Daiginjo "Heaven of Tipsy Delight"
subtle, gentle, superb.This incredibly nuanced sake has a vivid nose filled with berries, mangos, white grapes, and clover honey elements. Talk about a gentle sake! This ...
View full detailsHarada Junmai Daiginjo "Master Creation"
round, tropical, luxurious.The nose on this stellar Junmai Daiginjo is a cool collection of crème brulee, cantaloupe, honeydew, banana, rose water, and mint aromas. Are you r...
View full detailsSuehiro Ken Daiginjo "The Sword"
minerals, balanced, clean.The nose on one of the original “OG” exported premium Daiginjo brews is a clean collection of pear, mineral water, lavender, strawberry, melon, and...
View full detailsDewazakura Daiginjo "Mountain Cherry"
dry, fruity, amazing.The nose on this special sake from an award-winning brewery is plump with plum, berry, grape, peach, and floral elements. A perfect example of a wi...
View full detailsTenko 40 Junmai Daiginjo "Heavenly Grace"
nougat, savory, balanced.The nose on this flagship sake is a rich collection of creamy, savory, vanilla, honey, mango custard, and steamed rice aromas. This legendary sake ...
View full detailsHakkaisan Snow Aged 3 Year Junmai Daiginjo "Yukimuro"
nougat, pear, smooth.Aged in a traditional cooler that uses snow for year-round temperature control, the nose on this sake is a chill collection of melon, green apple, ...
View full detailsDewazakura Yukimanman Daiginjo "Snow Country"
aged 5 years, superb, expressive.The nose on this connoisseur’s sake is an amazing array of berry, melon, plum, sweet rice, and honey aromas. Okay! It’s time to put on your profess...
View full detailsKirin Hizoshu Daiginjo “Treasured Sake”
layered, aged 5 years, professional.The nose on this sake aged for five years, Hizo or “Treasured” is a very cool collection of sweet nuts, white grape, grapefruit, and a touch of mus...
View full detailsHoyo Kura No Hana Junmai Daiginjo "Fair Maiden"
grape, light, delicate.This Daiginjo has a nose filled with Muscat grapes and earthy wood tones. A very light sake with a beautiful soft grape beginning, and a tender ...
View full detailsGasanryu Gokugetsu Junmai Daiginjo "Mountain Stream"
berry, ripe melon, bright.This single-pasteurized sake has a very sneaky nose filled with rose petals, purple grapes, and blueberry elements. Ahhhh, smooth and bright! A ver...
View full detailsNabeshima Junmai Daiginjo "Aiyama"
tingly, berries, rock sugar.The nose on this New World style sake is a lively collection of strawberry, peach, honey, tangerine, nectarine, and mineral water aromas. Say hello...
View full detailsToko Junmai Daiginjo Shizuku "Ultraluxe"
ultimate, world class, complexity.At long last Toko is available in the US and that is great news. The nose on this incredibly luxurious sake is a special collection of sweet rice, ...
View full detailsAkabu Junmai Daiginjo
juicy, slippery, delicious.The nose on this delicious Iwate Prefecture brew is a cool collection of grape, blueberry, green apple, kiwi, Asian pear, and sweet tomato aromas. ...
View full detailsSenshin Junmai Daiginjo “Sophisticated Mind”
milled to 28 percent.This Junmai Daiginjo has been milled to 28% seimaibuai. It takes 3 days and nights to gently polish the rice grains to reach the incredibly small (...
View full detailsBorn Nihon no Tsubasa Aged Junmai Daiginjo "Wing of Japan"
aged 2 years+, uncomplicated intricacy.This expressive Daiginjo has been aged for over two years and has a nose filled with cherries, red grapes, yellow peppers and iceberg lettuce. Simp...
View full detailsOtokoyama Daiginjo "Kita no Inaho"
round, soft, impeccable.A calling card from Sake Day 2018! A celebration sake of sorts, but once you taste this, you will notice the celebration immediately. Clean, round,...
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