"I want to try sake, but I don't know which one is easier to drink..." "Which one should I choose first?" This time, I would like to introduce a cheap and easy-to-drink sake that even beginners can easily enjoy, recommended by Mirai Nihonshuten!

■Types of sake

For sake beginners, it is difficult to understand the types of sake. First of all, I would like to explain the types of sake in an easy-to-understand manner.

Of the three types of sake that are classified according to the manufacturing method, the three most commonly heard are “Junmaishu”, “Ginjoshu” and “Honjozoshu”. I think many people have heard it at izakayas and liquor stores. Once you understand the differences in the three types of manufacturing methods and the characteristics of their taste, you will be able to enjoy sake all at once.

Mirai Nihonshuten handles many hard-to-find sake from all over the country, and you can purchase such rare sake at the online store. This time, we have picked up a few recommended sakes, focusing on those with a low alcohol content that are easy to drink for beginners, and junmai sakes that you can enjoy umami and sweetness.

■Junmaishu where you can enjoy the original taste of rice

The raw materials of junmai sake are only rice, rice koji, and water. In addition, among those brewed using the ginjo-zuri method, those with a rice-polishing ratio of 60% or less are called junmai ginjo-shu, and those with a rice-polishing ratio of 50% or less are called junmai-daiginjo-shu.

Junmai sake is made only with rice, malted rice, and water, and the rice polishing ratio is not very high, so you can enjoy the original flavor of rice, rich rice aroma, and deep richness .

Junmai sake is classified according to the rice polishing ratio, manufacturing method, flavor, etc. In addition, junmai sake made with a special manufacturing method is called “special junmai sake”. It's not defined how special it is, it just goes on the label. When choosing alcohol, it might be interesting to pay attention to the label.

Fujii Sake Brewery Emperor of the Night FOREVER

Taste: dry

Type: Tokubetsu Junmaishu

Alcohol content: 20%

Contents: 720ml

Characteristic: Aiming for the limits of pure rice sake, this sake has a high alcohol content of over 20%. It is characterized by its umami that is satisfying to drink but never gets tired of . It is also recommended to drink on the rocks, with soda, or with a cocktail base.

Chiyo Musubi Amabie Pure Rice

Taste: dry

Type: Junmai sake

Alcohol content: 15%

Contents: 720ml

Features: Pure rice sake that allows you to enjoy the original umami and sweetness of rice while maintaining a dry and refreshing finish. A label with a picture of Amabie, which has been talked about as a specter that wards off epidemics, might be perfect for this time of year.

Manozuru Breeze

Taste: dry

Type: Junmai sake

Alcohol content: 16-17%

Contents: 720ml

Characteristics: Dry yet smooth on the palate , with a good balance between the strong umami of rice and lightness, and the acidity in the aftertaste tightens the flavor.

■ The points of ginjo-shu and honjozo-shu are brewed alcohol and ginjo

The requirements for ginjo-shu and honjozo-shu are: ``Materials are rice, malted rice, and brewed alcohol''; is used.” The big difference from pure rice sake is that it uses brewed alcohol .

Why would you add brewer's alcohol? Isn't there a lot of people who wonder? We tend to have negative images such as "Isn't it added to forcefully increase the alcohol content?" There are advantages.

It can be said that it is like a seasoning to adjust the taste because it can suppress the unpleasant taste derived from sugar and acid to make the taste refreshing and stabilize the ingredients with a gorgeous aroma .

By the way, "Junmai Daiginjo" refers to sake made with ginjo, which does not use distilled alcohol. Once you understand Japanese sake terms, you will be able to understand what kind of sake it is.

■ Ginjo sake with a strong aroma

Ginjo sake has a rice polishing ratio of 60% or less, and if it is 50% or less, it is called daiginjo sake. Ginjoshu, which is made by slowly fermenting well-polished rice at a low temperature, has a fruity aroma called ginjoka.

Keigetsu pure rice size brewing sake from the finest rice CEL24

Taste: sweet

Type: Junmai Daiginjo

Alcohol content: 15%

Contents: 720ml

Characteristic: Junmai Daiginjo made with Kochi Prefecture yeast CEL24, which is said to ferment with a fragrant aroma. You can enjoy the fruity sweetness and refreshing aroma of tropical fruits. It retains the original umami and sweetness of rice, and has a mild aftertaste.

Mizubasho pure rice size brewing sake from the finest rice green

Taste: Medium dry

Type: Junmai Daiginjo

Alcohol content: 15%

Contents: 720ml

Characteristic: Junmai Daiginjo with a mellow mouthfeel and a sweet aroma reminiscent of white peach . The aftertaste is also refreshing and soft. It is very easy to drink and is recommended for sake beginners.

HINEMOS KUJI

Taste: sweet

Type: Junmai Daiginjo

Alcohol content: 15%

Contents: 500ml

Characteristic: It features a gorgeous fragrance like tropical fruits, and it has a soft texture and a smooth sweetness and umami . The acidity that you feel in the aftertaste gives it a crisp finish, and it goes well with meat dishes and dishes that use butter or cream.

■ Brewed sake that you can enjoy refreshing and dry

On the other hand, honjozo-shu is made with a rice-polishing ratio of 70% or less, and is made using a method called ginjo-ryori. Honjozo requires a lot of polishing. In addition, the addition of brewed alcohol is a manufacturing point. As a result, the sweetness of the rice is less than that of junmai sake, and you can enjoy a refreshing dry taste. It will also enhance the scent. It has little peculiarity and does not interfere with the taste of the food, so it is perfect for drinking with meals.

Tamaasahi sweet bie size brewing sake from the finest rice

Taste: dry

Type: Daiginjo

Alcohol content: 15 degrees

Contents: 300ml

Features: Spread of elegant aroma and mellow taste.

We have picked out sake that is easy to drink even for beginners, but are there any that you would like to try?

If you are not used to sake, we recommend trying junmai sake, which has a strong sweetness, or new sake, which is said to have a new sensation.

We hope that you will enjoy the world of sake by drinking the sake we introduced.