Honjozo is generally lighter-bodied and smoother than junmai. Unlike junmai, however, honjozo adds a small amount of brewer's alcohol to the brew. Like junmai, honjozo sake uses rice that's polished to at least 70%. In general, however, junmai offers a full-body smoothness with savory rice-infused flavors and minor acidity. With the large variety of sakes that fit under the junmai label, it's impossible to put your finger on its flavor profile or versatility completely. The broad classification of junmai denotes a sake that: Here are some of the most popular sake types to start your search. Some of the best sakes polish more than 75% of the original grain! In general, higher-quality (and more expensive) sakes are brewed with a rice that's more highly polished. Unlike beer or wine, which are categorized by the type of ingredients used (grains or grapes), sake is mostly differentiated by two things:
With over 2,500 years of history behind it, it's no surprise that buying the perfect Japanese sake is anything but easy.Īlthough sake is often called 'Japanese rice wine,' it's not quite on point. Check Prices & Availability How to choose the perfect sake for beginners: A quick buyer's guide
