The severe cold continues, but these days we can finally begin to feel the warmth of spring little by little.
Wouldn't it raise your spirits even more if you could stay warm by drinking something delicious?
With that in mind, we once again participated in the KURAND Media-Exclusive New Product Tasting Event.
We tried four new products perfect for this current period between winter and spring!
Shiroganezakura, the Sake Where Cherry Blossoms Dance
- Genre: Sake
- Alcohol Content: 16%
- Volume: 720ml
- Rice Polishing Ratio: 50%
- Specific Designation: Junmai Daiginjo
- Ingredient Rice: Yamada Nishiki (produced in Hyogo Prefecture)
- Manufacturer: Inata Honten (Tottori Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 6,990 yen (tax included)
First is the sake Shiroganezakura.
It is characterized by containing gold flakes tinted pink to resemble cherry blossom petals.
Saiga NAK
It seems that fine adjustments were repeated to achieve the floating sensation of the gold flakes, and the way they dance softly is just like a cherry blossom blizzard.
Shiroganezakura is a joy to look at as well, so let's try it right away!
Because it has a sharp finish despite being sweet, no cloying sweetness remains, and it seems like it would pair well with savory dishes like meat.
It was easy to drink, falling right between sweet and dry, and it was a flavor I could recommend even to those who like dry sake.
The appearance is also glamorous, so it is sure to be popular with women!
Shiroganezakura is a limited quantity lottery sale, and the application period is until 1:00 PM on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Since delivery is from late March onwards, why not try feeling the arrival of spring with both your eyes and your tongue as your cherry blossom viewing sake?
Sweet Liqueurs Just Like Chocolate Have Appeared!
The liqueurs we were allowed to taste next include:
- Melty Caramel
- Muscat Bonbon
- METCHA MATCHA -Matcha Chocolate Liqueur-
They have names just like sweets, but they are bona fide alcohol.
It is a lineup perfect for Valentine's Day.
Expectations are rising!
Melty Caramel
- Product Type: Liqueur
- Volume: 500ml
- Alcohol Content: 10%
- Manufacturer: Joraku Shuzo (Kumamoto Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 2,990 yen (tax included)
Melty Caramel is characterized by its shochu base.
It is delicious as is, but they also recommend a coffee mix with 1 part Melty Caramel to 2–3 parts coffee.
In addition to the aroma of caramel, the moderate bitterness that isn't too sweet is exquisite!
Speaking of KURAND, there are many thick, almost solid-like alcohols, but surprisingly, the texture is on the smooth side.
The bittersweetness of the caramel could be felt, so it seemed like even those who aren't fond of sweets could enjoy it.
The label also feels like Valentine's Day, making it perfect for a gift.
Muscat Bonbon
- Product Type: Liqueur
- Volume: 500ml
- Alcohol Content: 5%
- Manufacturer: Kitaoka Honten (Nara Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 2,990 yen (tax included)
Next up is the aptly named Muscat Bonbon.
It is a liqueur that expresses Muscat Bonbon Chocolat using Hokkaido Niagara grapes and chocolate.
It isn't cloyingly sweet and is easy to drink straight, but they also recommend mixing it with milk.
Anyway, the aroma is amazing!
The scents of chocolate and muscat are exactly half-and-half.
Both the muscat and the chocolate are delicious, allowing you to feel each individual taste without them canceling each other out.
The texture is slightly thick, and the alcohol sensation is quite light, so even people who aren't fond of alcohol might be able to drink it.
It goes down so smoothly that a whole bottle will be gone in no time. This is dangerous (as a compliment).
METCHA MATCHA -Matcha Chocolate Liqueur-
- Product Type: Liqueur
- Volume: 500ml
- Alcohol Content: 5%
- Manufacturer: Kitaoka Honten (Nara Prefecture)
- Selling Price: 2,990 yen (tax included)
Last is METCHA MATCHA -Matcha Chocolate Liqueur-.
It is a liqueur that combines rich matcha and white chocolate.
It is extremely concentrated, so the point is to shake it metcha (very) hard before pouring.
The texture is close to a sauce, and they say it is also delicious when poured over white sweets like ice cream, cheesecake, or panna cotta.
Just like the name says, it is Metcha Matcha!
There is a powdery feel too, and it gives the impression of a solid matcha rather than just matcha flavoring.
It has the same 5% alcohol as Muscat Bonbon, but compared to that, the alcohol feel is a bit stronger.
Because it had a deep bitterness where you could feel the matcha itself, I thought it was a liqueur that fans of strong matcha wouldn't be able to resist.
However, it's not just matcha; sweetness is added with white chocolate, making the balance exquisite.
It seems like it would be fun to drink while having sweets, or to try pouring it on them, as the range of arrangements is wide!
Valentine's Fair for Grownups 2026 Now Being Held!
At KURAND, the Valentine's Fair for Grownups 2026 is being held until Monday, February 16, 2026!
You can enjoy various sweet-flavored liqueurs at a great price, so please be sure to check it out.
Extra Shot
When I was bragging about a keychain I obtained at a pop-up store I visited privately, they showed me the real thing!
Both are cute!
