| Brand | Reikyo |
| Region | Miyagi prefecture in the Tohoku Region Japan |
| Spirits Type | Sake |
| Spirits Style | Junmai Daiginjo |
| ABV | 16% / Rice Polishing: 60% |
Product details
Niizawa Reikyo Absolute 0 Kura no Hana Junmai Daiginjo is a groundbreaking sake that redefines the limits of craftsmanship and precision. Achieved in 2018 after an astonishing 5,297 hours of polishing, this sake is brewed using only the innermost 0.85% of each rice grain—an accomplishment that led to it being labeled as Japan’s first and only "0% polishing ratio" sake due to a unique interpretation of the regulations at the time. With 99.15% of the rice carefully removed, Reikyo Absolute 0 offers an unparalleled level of refinement and purity, resulting in a sake that is exquisitely delicate, silky, and expressive of the essence of Kura no Hana rice.
To match the rarity of its contents, each bottle is presented in a vermilion-colored cosmetic box housing a handcrafted Tosa Kumiko wooden case—an intricate traditional craft from Kochi Prefecture. Only a maximum of three of these boxes can be produced per day, making each presentation as exceptional as the sake itself. With just 999 bottles released annually across Japan, Asia, Europe, and the United States, Niizawa Reikyo Absolute 0 is not only a triumph of brewing innovation but also a collectible work of art, reserved for those seeking the absolute pinnacle of sake.
Rice: Kura no Hana | Polishing Ratio: 0.85%
Reikyo Absolute 0 is ethereal yet expressive. It offers a gentle bouquet of Asian pear, honeydew melon, grapes, strawberries, and even touches of apple, sweet almond, and licorice, unfolding with a smooth, moist “firework‑like” intensity before fading into a delicate whisper.
As a “meal‑time sake,” it shines alongside kaiseki, sashimi of fatty white fish, seasonal shellfish, beef tongue, or even blue cheese and melon, complementing dishes with its pristine clarity and refined structure. Whether savored on a celebratory occasion or paired delicately with cuisine, Reikyo Absolute 0 embodies Niizawa’s relentless pursuit of purity, balance, and elegance.
In the late 1990s, Mr. Niizawa set out to create a new kind of sake—one that would complement food with subtle flavor, low sugar, and easy drinkability. This vision gave rise to “Hakurakusei,” the ultimate food sake, in 2002. Initially misunderstood, the concept of a pairing-focused sake eventually gained wide recognition, leading to its trademark registration in 2016. Today, Niizawa Brewery continues to challenge tradition through a collaborative brewing culture where age, gender, and hierarchy do not define talent. In 2018, the brewery appointed Japan’s youngest female toji at age 22, reflecting its commitment to innovation and cultivating young brewers through shared knowledge and rigorous sensory training.
Niizawa Brewery is also renowned for its groundbreaking rice polishing techniques, achieving a world-record 0.85% polishing ratio with diamond roll flat polishing machines. This method removes unwanted flavors while preserving the rice’s core umami, resulting in sake that is refined and elegant. All products are stored at -5℃ to maintain peak freshness, from premium labels to seasonal nama-zake. Combined with a dedication to continuous improvement and quality control, Niizawa Brewery sets a global standard in craftsmanship while staying true to its mission—creating sake that enhances the dining experience.
