Daiginjo and ginjo are a relatively new creation when compared to the sake that has existed for 2000 years, as ginjo has existed for only 40 years. The reason being that until 40 years ago it was not technologically possible to mill “polish” away so much of the rice without either cooking or cracking the rice caused by the friction created or by being economically not feasible, caused by the time it would take.

Junmai is pure Sake, and is brewed only with rice polished to a seimaibuai of 70%, water, yeast and koji. There are no other additives. To qualify as a Junmai, there is technically no minimum milling requirement, but the sake must be the “pure rice” style. Junmai sake is robust, full-bodied, and slightly acidic. It goes well with a wide variety of food.

Honjozo Sake must be polished to 70% or less of it’s original size and as far as ingredients go, it contains a small amount of distilled brewer’s alcohol, which is added to the sake to achieve different flavor & aroma profiles.

Junmai Ginjo / Ginjo:

Junmai Ginjo Sake is brewed using only rice, water, yeast and koji. There are no other additives. To qualify as a Ginjo, the rice grain must be polished to 60% or less of it’s original size. The flavor of Junmai Ginjo sake is light, fragrant and even complex. 

Ginjo Sake is the same as Junmai Ginjo except a small amount of distilled brewer’s alcohol is added to the sake to achieve different flavor profiles.

Junmai Daiginjo / Daiginjo:

Junmai Daiginjo Sake is ultra premium pure sake and has a very light, fragrant, fruity and subtle taste. It is brewed with rice where each grain has been polished away by 50% at the minimum, and the various brewing processes are handled with greater care and attention to detail. It is the pinnacle of sake brewing.

Daiginjo Sake is the same as Junmai Daiginjo except a small amount of distilled brewer’s alcohol is added to the sake to achieve different flavor profiles.

This system for classification is not complete, as it does not take into account the quality of the rice used or the skills of the brewers. But one thing you can be sure of is that a daiginjo will be more expensive than a ginjo from the same brewer, because the production cost will always be higher. As for the food pairing it must be done including the normal sake, junmai and ginjo as possibilities. Although the polishing rate is lower for normal sake, the taste can still be very interesting, offering many nuances and flavours which makes a distinctive combination with different kinds of food.