After a long period of severe cold weather, we are finally starting to feel the warmth of spring little by little. Wouldn't it be more uplifting if we could warm ourselves up with a delicious drink? That is why we participated in KURAND' s media-only new product tasting event again this time. We tried four new products that are perfect for this time of year between winter and spring!
Shiroganezakura" sake with dancing cherry blossoms
- Genre: Sake
- Alcohol percentage: 16
- Volume: 720ml
- Rice polishing ratio: 50
- Specific name: Junmai Daiginjo
- Rice: Yamadanishiki (Hyogo Prefecture)
- Manufacturer: Inada Honten (Tottori Prefecture)
- Retail price: 6,990 yen (tax included)
The first one is " Hakuginzakura " sake, which is characterized by the pink-colored gold leaves that resemble cherry petals.
Saiga NAKThe gold leaf is said to have been fine-tuned to achieve a floating effect, and its fluffy appearance is like a cherry blossom snowstorm. The fluffy fluttering looks like a cherry blossom snowstorm!
It is sweet but has a sharp taste, so it does not leave a sweet taste and goes well with fatty dishes such as meat. It was easy to drink, somewhere between sweet and dry, and could be recommended to those who like dry wine. It looks gorgeous and is sure to be popular among women!
Shiroginzakura" will be sold in limited quantities by lottery, and applications will be accepted until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The delivery will be made in late March or later, so why not experience the arrival of spring with both your eyes and your taste buds as you savor the cherry blossom viewing sake?
Chocolate-like sweet liqueurs are now available!
The next liqueur we tasted was...
- Melty Caramel
- Muscat Bonbon
- METCHA MATCHA - matcha chocolate liquor
Three kinds of liqueurs! Although the names sound like sweets, they are in fact alcoholic beverages. This is the perfect lineup for Valentine's Day. This is a lineup that will make your heart pound with anticipation!
Melty Caramel
- Product type: Liqueur
- Volume: 500ml
- Alcohol content: 10%.
- Manufacturer: Joraku Shuzo (Kumamoto Prefecture)
- Retail price: 2,990 yen (tax included)
Melty Caramel " featuring a shochu base
It is delicious on its own, but we also recommend mixing 1 Melty Caramel with 2-3 cups of coffee.
In addition to the caramel aroma, it has a moderate bitterness that is not too sweet! KURAND is often associated with a solid, thick liquor, but surprisingly, the texture is silky. The slight bitterness of the caramel flavor made it enjoyable even for those who do not like sweets. The label is also very Valentine-like, making it a perfect gift.
Muscat Bonbon
- Product type: Liqueur
- Volume: 500ml
- Alcohol percentage: 5
- Manufacturer: Kitaoka Honten (Nara)
- Price: 2,990 yen (tax included)
This liqueur is made with Hokkaido Niagara and chocolate, and is inspired by "Muscat Bonbon Chocolat".
It is not too sweet and is easy to drink straight, but it is also recommended to drink with milk.
The aroma is just amazing! It smells just half chocolate and half muscat.
The muscat and chocolate flavors don't cancel each other out, and the individual flavors are delicious. The texture is a bit thick and the alcohol content is quite light, so even people who don't like alcohol may be able to drink it. It is so easy to drink that a bottle will be gone in no time. This is dangerous (a word of praise).
METCHA MATCHA -Matcha Chocolate Sake
- Product type: Liqueur
- Volume: 500ml
- Alcohol percentage: 5
- Manufacturer: Kitaoka Honten (Nara)
- Retail price: 2,990 yen (tax included)
The last one is " METCHA MATCHA - Matcha Chocolate Sake." This liqueur is a combination of rich matcha green tea and white chocolate. 
As the name suggests, it is very matcha! It has a powdery texture and gives the impression of being more like a strong "matcha" than matcha. It has the same 5% alcohol content as Muscat Bonbon, but it is a little more alcoholic than Muscat Bonbon. It has a deep and astringent taste, which is a perfect matcha liqueur for those who like strong matcha green tea.
It is not only matcha, but also white chocolate adds a sweetness that is perfectly balanced. You can drink it with sweets or pour it over them, and it will be fun to enjoy it in a wide range of arrangements!
Valentine's Day Fair for Adults 2026" is now being held!
KURAND is currently holding the Adult Valentine's Day Fair 2026 until February 16, 2026 (Monday)! You can enjoy various sweet-tasting liqueurs at a discount, so be sure to check it out!
Extra
When the author was bragging about the key chains he got at a pop-up store he visited privately, he showed me the real thing! Both are adorable!