YK-35

YK-35 is an abbreviation for a specific sake-brewing formula, or recipe, used mainly by breweries aiming to win awards at the Annual Japan Sake Awards. The Y stands for Yamada Nishiki, the K for Kumamoto No. 9 yeast, and 35 for a rice polishing ratio of 35%. The recipe is designed to produce a showy ginjo aroma (the fragrant, fruity profile associated with Ginjo-grade sake), and for this reason many tojis (master brewers) and brewery owners value it. Because the rice polishing ratio is very low at 35%, only the innermost part of the rice grain is used, which gives a sake with a fruity, rich aroma. At the Annual Japan Sake Awards, where entries are ranked with awards such as gold and silver, sake made with YK-35 is often highly rated.