Niizawa Zankyo Junmai Daiginjo

Milled to an extraordinary 7% polishing ratio — meaning 93% of each grain is ground away — Niizawa Zankyo Junmai Daiginjo ranks among the most heavily polished sakes in commercial production. Brewed by Niizawa Brewery in Miyagi Prefecture from Yamada Nishiki, the extreme milling removes almost all surface fat and protein to leave a pure starch core. The result is intense fruity and floral aromatics with a very clean amino-acid level of 0.8 and a soft acidity of 1.05. At 15% alcohol and a Sake Meter Value of +3, the finish is dry, elegant, and remarkably light for its concentration.

Zankyo (Echo) represents the extreme edge of rice polishing, with Yamada Nishiki polished to an astonishing 7%. At this level, the grain is barely larger than its starchy shinpaku core, and the resulting sake is ethereally transparent with whisper-light aromatics and a gossamer texture. One of the world's most expensive sakes and a testament to obsessive craftsmanship.