| Brand | Niizawa |
| Region | Miyagi, Japan |
| Spirits Type | Sake |
| Spirits Style | Junmai Daiginjo |
| ABV | 16% / Rice Polishing: 0.85% |
Product details
Niizawa Reikyo Crystal 0 Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo represents the next evolution of sake craftsmanship, pushing the boundaries even beyond the world-renowned Reikyo Absolute 0. Brewed with a top-secret rice polishing technique that surpasses even the historic 0.85% ratio, this sake features the most highly polished rice ever used in sake brewing. With a milling ratio once thought impossible, Crystal 0 invites the drinker to question the very limits of refinement and purity in sake. Each drop captures the soul of Yamadanishiki rice in its most delicate and ethereal form, resulting in an impossibly smooth, crystal-clear expression of elegance and depth.
Like its predecessor, Crystal 0 is housed in a handcrafted Tosa Kumiko wooden box, an intricate work of Japanese artisanry that reflects the same obsessive attention to detail as the sake within. Produced in extremely limited quantities, this sake stands at the frontier of what sake can become—where innovation, tradition, and imagination converge. Niizawa Reikyo Crystal 0 is not merely a sake; it is a rare and visionary masterpiece that challenges the very definition of perfection.
Rice: Yamada Nishiki | Polishing Ratio: 0.85%
Crystal 0 is lush yet delicate, offering tropical nuances—pear, pineapple, and hints of bright fruit flavors. The palate is luscious and enveloping, with a vibrant, glossy texture that captivates, then gently recedes into a hauntingly elusive finish.
This structural elegance makes it a sublime pairing partner: chilled to around 5–15 °C, it elevates delicate seafood like sashimi, shellfish, and mild white fish, as well as refined dishes such as sushi, lightly seasoned poultry, creamy cheeses, or mild tempura. Presented in a handcrafted bottle and wooden box, Reikyo Crystal 0 is more than a sake—it’s a culinary statement and exquisite experience for the discerning palate.
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.
