In this article we unveil the top 5 most expensive sake bottles while looking at the price of sake in Japan. From groundbreaking polishing ratios to decades of aging, these bottles redefine the boundaries of perfection and luxury.
How much does sake cost?
We often hear “why sake is not expensive” (at least in Japan). But is sake really (in)expensive?
When comparing sake to wine in Japan, it is generally considered less costly. However, one must consider the intricacies of the sake supply chain. Sake is primarily produced in Japan (with a few exceptions), necessitating export and import processes. Consequently, the final retail price in any given country hinges on various factors, including the complexity of the supply chain, currency exchange rates, tax tariffs, and transportation expenses. As a result, consumers can typically anticipate paying anywhere from 2 to 4 times the Japanese retail price in their home country for imported sake.
In the realm of daily purchases at supermarkets or convenience stores, the price of sake in Japan for a 720ml bottle typically ranges from 500 to 1500 Yen. At more specialized liquor stores and sake shops, one can discover a broader selection of sake, with sake prices typically falling within the 1500 to 3000 Yen range. For those seeking sake as gifts or special occasions, there are premium options available, often priced between 5000 to 20000 Yen per 720ml bottle.
In recent times, there has been a concerted effort to elevate the status of sake to that of a premium product, which many believe it rightfully deserves. At the upper end of the spectrum, the most expensive sake can demand a hefty price tag, surpassing 1,375,000 Yen for a 500ml bottle, equating to an astonishing 2750 Yen per milliliter.
Top 5 most expensive sake bottles
- REIKYO Crystal 0: 1,375,000 Yen
- MASUMI Yumedono Daiginjo 1971 Vintage: 550,000 Yen
- REIKYO Absolute 0: 385,000 Yen
- KATSUYAMA 1992 Ice-aged Vintage: 385,000 Yen
- TATENOKAWA Junmai Daiginjo Komyo Yamadanishiki: 242,000 Yen
No.1: REIKYO Crystal 0
Introducing the Reikyo Crystal 0, an unparalleled masterpiece that shatters all expectations. With an astonishingly low polishing ratio of less than 1%, it proudly claims the title of the world's highest milled rice, surpassing even the renowned Reikyo Absolute 0.
In the world of sake, achieving such a level of milling was once deemed impossible, making Reikyo Crystal 0 a groundbreaking achievement. With a sake degree of ±0, an acidity level of 1.4, and amino acidity at 0.6, this sake boasts a pristine balance of flavors.
Crafted from the finest Yamadanishiki rice and presented in a 500ml bottle, every sip of Reikyo Crystal 0 is an exquisite experience. Its 16% alcohol content ensures a bold and rich profile that is sure to captivate connoisseurs.
Priced at 1,375,000 Yen (including tax), this sake represents the pinnacle of excellence, a true masterpiece for those who seek the extraordinary. Discover the unparalleled craftsmanship and unparalleled flavor of Reikyo Crystal 0, a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection.
- Product: REIKYO Crystal 0 (零響 Crystal 0)
- Brewery: Niizawa Sake Brewery (Miyagi)
- Retail price: 1,375,000 Yen (including tax)
No.2: MASUMI Yumedono Daiginjo 1971 Vintage
Introducing Masumi Yumedono Daiginjo 1971 Vintage (真澄 大吟醸 夢殿 1971) by Miyasaka Sake Brewery, an establishment steeped in centuries of tradition dating back to 1662 in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture.
During the Taisho era, the brewery garnered acclaim under the genius brewer Chisato Kubota, winning the top prize at the 1943 National Sake Competition. Yumedono holds the record for the most gold medals in the National New Sake Competition as of 2021.
Crafted with meticulous care, Yumedono is a masterpiece. Initially reserved for competitions due to its rarity, our brewers decided to preserve these exceptional creations. Yumedono, aged since its 1971 brewing, stands as a testament to their dedication.
Experience the profound transformation of this sake over 50 years. Delight in its intricate bouquet of honey, custard cream, cinnamon, almond, and subtle caramel notes. The texture is velvety, transparent, with aging complexity harmonizing a gentle, pleasing bitterness that leaves a nutty, dry finish.
Pair this medium-heavy delight with dishes rich in depth and sweetness, such as miso dengaku, sautéed fu with butter, or buttery dried persimmon sandwiches. Explore the hidden passion of our brewers from half a century ago with every sip.
- Product: MASUMI Yumedono Daiginjo 1971 Vintage (真澄 大吟醸 夢殿 1971)
- Brewery: Miyasaka Sake Brewery (Nagano)
- Retail price: 550,000 Yen (including tax)
No.3: REIKYO Absolute 0
Introducing REIKYO Absolute 0, a pinnacle of craftsmanship from Niizawa Brewery in Miyagi. With an alcohol percentage of 16%, this extraordinary sake redefines the boundaries of perfection, boasting an astonishing polishing ratio of less than 1% (0.85%).
To savor its evolving flavors, we recommend serving REIKYO at approximately 10°C (50°F). Allow it to breathe in a large wine glass, unlocking its true essence. Pair this exceptional sake with a variety of culinary delights, including fatty white fish sashimi, seasonal shellfish, beef tongue, vichyssoise, blue cheese, and melon.
Priced at 385,000 Yen (including tax), REIKYO Absolute 0 is a true rarity, with only 333 bottles produced annually for Japan, Asia, Europe, and the United States, totaling a mere 999 bottles worldwide.
In 2018, we achieved the remarkable feat of a 0.85% polishing ratio after an arduous 5,297 hours, meaning that 99.15% of the rice grain was meticulously polished away. This pioneering achievement led to a unique "0% polishing ratio" designation, a first in Japan. Notably, the Sake Tax Law underwent revision on July 1, 2019, rendering Reikyo Absolute 0 as the sole sake ever to bear the distinction of a 0% polishing ratio.
To complement its exceptional contents, REIKYO is presented in a vermilion-colored cosmetic box crafted by Tosa Kumiko artisans, utilizing the traditional artistry of Kumiko Zaiku. Each box is painstakingly handmade, with a maximum of three crafted per day.
- Product: REIKYO Absolute 0 (零響 Absolute 0)
- Brewery: Niizawa Sake Brewery (Miyagi)
- Retail price: 385,000 Yen (including tax)
No.4: KATSUYAMA 1992 Ice-aged Vintage
Presenting the KATSUYAMA 1992 Ice-aged Vintage, a remarkable testament to Katsuyama Shuzo's storied legacy spanning over 320 years. Established during the Genroku era of the Edo period, Katsuyama Shuzo proudly stands as the sole surviving official brewery of the Date family in Sendai.
Brewed in 1992 for competition, this exceptional sake has been meticulously aged for 30 years in ice storage, maintaining a constant temperature of -5°C. Each bottle proudly bears the Katsuyama symbol, etched into its jet-black glass.
The pièce de résistance of this creation is the secret box, a masterpiece of marquetry. Marquetry, like Katsuyama Sake Brewery itself, traces its origins to the Edo period and has endured through the ages. Crafted by skilled artisans, the Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku secret box showcases intricate geometric patterns, skillfully utilizing various wood colors and grains. Opening it requires a specific, time-honored technique, known only to those who have dedicated their lives to mastering this art.
The Katsuyama 1992 Ice-aged Vintage is a work of art and a testament to tradition, offering not just a taste of history but a glimpse into the enduring craftsmanship that has defined Katsuyama for centuries. Priced at 385,000 Yen (including tax), it is a rare treasure waiting to be discovered.
- Product: KATSUYAMA 1992 Ice-aged Vintage (勝山 三十年間 氷熟貯蔵酒)
- Brewery: Katsuyama Sake Brewery (Miyagi)
- Retail price: 385,000 Yen (including tax)
No.5: TATENOKAWA Junmai Daiginjo Komyo Yamadanishiki
Introducing the TATENOKAWA Junmai Daiginjo Komyo Yamadanishiki, a pinnacle of sake craftsmanship. Priced at 242,000 Yen (including tax), this exquisite creation showcases the regal Yamada-Nishiki rice, known as the king of sake rice, with every grain painstakingly polished to an astounding 1% by the brewery.
The name "Komyo" carries with it the profound aspiration that the future of sake will be bathed in a resplendent light, a vision set to unfurl a century from now. In every drop of this sake, one can taste the dedication and dreams of the artisans who crafted it.
This bottle represents a treasure reserved for the discerning few, a limited edition that encapsulates the essence of time-honored tradition and a hopeful glimpse into the sake world of the future. Experience the rarity and legacy of TATENOKAWA Junmai Daiginjo Komyo Yamadanishiki, a masterpiece poised to transcend generations.
- Product: TATENOKAWA Junmai Daiginjo Komyo Yamadanishiki (楯野川 純米大吟醸 光明 山田錦)
- Brewery: Tatenokawa Sake Brewery (Yamagata)
- Retail price: 242,000 Yen (including tax)
