We were invited to and participated in the media-exclusive new product tasting event by KURAND, which always provides alcohol to the Saiga NAK editorial department, where liquor lovers gather!
Over 30 new products are released every month, and we got to sample carefully selected alcoholic beverages from that selection.
The Lineup for This Tasting Event!
Saiga NAKThe four varieties we sampled this time were the following:
- Chocolate Pudding at 9 PM (Liqueur)
- Kindan-no Kuromitsu (Liqueur)
- Flower Bouquet (Rosé Wine)
- Capybara Onsen (Rice Shochu)
Chocolate Pudding at 9 PM
The "Chocolate Pudding at 9 PM" is a liqueur from Nara Prefecture and is priced at 1,490 yen (tax included) for 300ml.
The table lamp placed on the table is cute, resembling a pudding.
Looking inside the bottle, there is a solidified part.
The texture changes depending on how many times you shake the bottle.
If you want to enjoy the pudding texture, shake it less; if you want to enjoy the smooth texture, shake it more.
This time, we sampled one that had been shaken about 20 times.
It feels less like drinking and more like eating.
It is sweet and can be enjoyed (eaten) like a dessert.
You can feel a slight alcohol content in the aftertaste, which makes you want to savor it at night.
It also looks delicious poured over vanilla ice cream.
Kindan-no Kuromitsu
The "Kindan-no Kuromitsu" is a liqueur from Saitama Prefecture and is priced at 2,990 yen (tax included) for 500ml.
Both the label and the contents are black, and the way the liquid looks like it's dripping from the character for "蜜 ("mitsu," or syrup/honey)" gives it a suspicious atmosphere that is intriguing.
This time, we sampled it straight and poured over vanilla ice cream.
It has a rich and mellow sweetness but a slight bitterness in the aftertaste.
Although the alcohol content is 11%, you can hardly feel the alcohol, so be careful not to drink too much.
It goes perfectly with milk, as well as Japanese sweets like shaved ice and agar jelly.
The part where the ice cream melted can also be drunk deliciously without leaving anything behind.
The ingredients used are also simple—mochi rice (domestic), rice koji (domestic rice), shochu, and brown sugar—and the flavor of the ingredients is maximized.
Flower Bouquet
The "Flower Bouquet" is a rosé wine from Yamanashi Prefecture and is priced at 3,990 yen (tax included) for 500ml.
Beautiful flowers are drawn on the label.
The outer box has a transparent section, allowing the flowers on the bottle to peek through, creating an elaborate design that makes it look like a bouquet.
It is perfect as a Mother's Day gift.
It would also be nice to display it as a vase after finishing the drink.
The color is a beautiful pink.
It is dry on the palate, but the aftertaste is slightly sweet, making it easy to drink.
Since it pairs well with any dish—vegetables, meat, or fish—it is also great as an aperitif.
Capybara Onsen
The "Capybara Onsen" is a rice shochu from Kumamoto Prefecture and is priced at 1,990 yen (tax included) for 720ml.
The picture of a capybara comfortably bathing in an onsen (hot spring) is cute.
If you peek at the back of the label, you can see a picture of a capybara swimming.
We sampled the recommended soda mixture.
It is dry, extremely refreshing, and easy to drink.
Since the preparation water used is weak alkaline hot spring water, those components float in the drink.
It is a product that is not only delicious but also focuses on health.
More Events Scheduled for the Future
Finally, when we asked the public relations representative, Toyama, for her recommended sake, she answered, "Uragitsune!"
It was not included in this tasting event, but it is something that interests us.
Apparently, she does a nail design based on her favorite sake label every month. Her attitude of sparing no effort to convey the appeal of sake is truly wonderful!
This time, we once again sampled alcoholic beverages with rich personalities.
Although Mother's Day has passed, why not give the Flower Bouquet, among others, to your mother as an expression of daily gratitude?
The alcoholic beverages we sampled this time can be purchased at "KURAND," so let's try any products that catch your interest!
