Summer means festivals! Fireworks displays! And... alcohol!
We were once again invited to KURAND's media-exclusive new product tasting event this month!
KURAND releases over 30 new products every month.
The sake we sampled this time was... sake that goes with ( )!
But what in the world is ( )?
Buttermilk!? French Toast!? Report on the KURAND Media-Exclusive New Product Tasting Event, Featuring Unique Alcoholic Beverages!
Another Intriguing Lineup
The drinks we sampled this time were a total of 4 labels as follows:
- Yonagi -Hibiscus & Tropical Fruit-
- Kingyo Sukui
- ( ) ni Au Sake
- Spiced Chai Liqueur Perfect With Milk
There are some drinks whose names alone don't reveal much, but that's business as usual for KURAND.
Yonagi -Hibiscus & Tropical Fruit-
- Genre: Liqueur
- Alcohol Content: 8%
- Manufacturer: K.S.P (Tochigi Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 3,990 yen (tax included)
- Release Date: Thursday, July 25, 2024
First up is "Yonagi -Hibiscus & Tropical Fruit-," which features a refreshing flavor.
It's a product with an exotic aroma created by mango and passion fruit, accented by the tartness of hibiscus.
It's still noon, but... cheers!
The orange liquid and fruity aroma create a tropical atmosphere.
It feels like something you'd elegantly sip under a beach umbrella.
This time, we again enlisted the help of Kiyoaki (@kiyoaki_gohan), who is well-known from the YouTube channel "Kiyoaki Shokudo"!
Kiyoaki: It has a slightly thick mouthfeel, and the sweetness of the fruit is followed by the tartness of the hibiscus.
The finish is very long, making it a drink you can slowly enjoy and relax with!
It seems like a clean, crisp drink that even people who don't usually drink alcohol would enjoy.
It might also be delicious mixed with black tea!
Kingyo Sukui
Saiga NAKThis very refreshing-looking sake is...
"Kingyo Sukui"!
- Genre: Japanese Sake
- Alcohol Content: 14%
- Manufacturer: Inata Honten (Tottori Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 1,990 yen (tax included)
- Release Date: Tuesday, August 6, 2024
"Kingyo Sukui" is a sake created with the desire for people to enjoy Japanese sake even in the summer, when fewer people drink it.
There is a trick hidden on the back of the label, allowing you to enjoy goldfish scooping by tilting the bottle.
"Kingyo Sukui" is a Junmai-shu characterized by a light and dry flavor.
The mouthfeel is round, and the crisp, dry finish keeps you coming back for more.
Kiyoaki: The cool, summery color and the goldfish make for a cute and lovely design!
The alcohol content is 14%, which is low for Japanese sake, making it easy to drink.
The flavor is very refreshing, so it won't interfere with food, and of course, "Kingyo Sukui" is great on its own for an evening drink!
It would be amazing to have a super-chilled "Kingyo Sukui" while watching fireworks...
今月もクランド(@KURAND_INFO)さんの試飲会にお邪魔しました！
金魚すくいに夢中のキヨアキさん🐠 pic.twitter.com/k9aTJ9VdYU— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) August 13, 2024
( ) ni Au Sake
- Genre: Japanese Sake
- Alcohol Content: 17%
- Manufacturer: Fuyou Shuzo (Nagano Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 1,990 yen (tax included)
- Release Date: Friday, July 19, 2024
Next up is this ambitious creation!
It's "( ) ni Au Sake."
That Japanese confection with *anko* bean paste stuffed inside a baked dough—a topic that frequently sparks debate online.
What do you call it?
Imagawa-yaki? Ōban-yaki? Kaiten-yaki? Enban-yaki? Baked Mochōcho?
The flavor of this Japanese sake, which is meant to pair with "that certain snack," is clean and crisp.
It has a finish that allows you to fully taste the umami of the specially cultivated Koshihikari rice grown in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture.
Drink...
Eat...
Kiyoaki: My first sip gave the impression that it was very sweet, but when I drank it again after taking a bite of the ( ), it didn't feel too sweet, and I even felt that the *umami* of the Japanese sake became stronger.
It should go well with other Japanese confections too!
Spiced Chai Liqueur Perfect With Milk
- Genre: Liqueur
- Alcohol Content: 17%
- Manufacturer: Nakano BC (Wakayama Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 3,490 yen (tax included)
- Release Date: Friday, July 26, 2024
Finally, there's "Spiced Chai Liqueur Perfect With Milk."
Chai, said to originate in India, is a drink blended with many spices like cardamom and cinnamon, and its unique flavor is loved worldwide.
"Spiced Chai Liqueur Perfect With Milk" recreates the authentic flavor of chai by blending cardamom, cinnamon, and clove with a Darjeeling tea base.
The recommended ratio is 1 part liqueur to 3 parts milk.
Although the undiluted liqueur gives off an incredibly strong spice aroma, it quietly hides its presence when mixed with milk.
"Oh, really...?" Kiyoaki said.
However, after a single sip, the flavor of authentic spices fills your mouth!
It has the perfect vibe for after a bath, and since the alcohol isn't too strong, it's recommended for women, too.
Kiyoaki: It was more drinkable and delicious than authentic store-bought chai!
The aroma and stimulating taste of clove and cardamom slowly spread in my mouth, making me think it would be great when I want to relax.
I also think it would be delicious to pour the liqueur directly over desserts like pudding or ice cream.
Sake Gacha! Carnival Is Also Being Held
The online liquor store "KURAND" is constantly releasing new products at a pace of 30 varieties every month.
In addition to the drinks introduced this time, they have recently developed products with various themes, such as "Jewelry Shine Muscat" and "Otona no Oolong Milk Tea."
Furthermore, the special event "Sake Gacha! Carnival" is also being held from Wednesday, August 14, 2024, to Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
It's a great value set guaranteed to include two luxury sake bottles of a special rank, and you have a 1 in 10 chance of winning a sake vessel worth up to 30,000 yen!
Let's get through the hot summer with a Sake Gacha, which delivers a lineup just for you from over 500 labels of sake!
豪華なお酒で満たされる特別企画🥂
「酒ガチャ！カーニバル」を開催します・お得にたくさんのお酒を楽しめる！
・カスタム自在！ビールも選択可能に！
・SSR "超レア酒" が増量で2本確定！
・お酒や酒器が抽選チャンスで当たる！▼ 詳細はコチラ ▼https://t.co/X2t0TCm3Rg pic.twitter.com/oJNoKUgdpO
— 「クランド」クラフト酒のお店 (@KURAND_INFO) August 14, 2024
