[Ni-Gal] 2025 Wrap-up from a Sake Noob who started this year

AI Translated Image

Started earlier this year and man, I drank a ton lol. Probably around 100 different kinds in total. Excluding stuff like Aramasa and Jikon that I had by the glass in Japan, I picked out a few memorable ones.

AI Translated Image

Omine 3-tsubu Fuyu-no-otozure: Out of the recent Nigori (including Origarami) styles I've tried, Yuki-onna was the best. Yuki-onna > Yukidaruma > Kagura > Kokueikiku Snow Crescent = Hiran Happy Newborn. I really want to try Hirotogawa Nigori...

AI Translated Image

Akabu Galaxy: I haven't tried many sparkling sakes, but among them, Galaxy was the best and the only one I'd consider repurchasing. Honestly, it's hard for sparkling sake to compete with Champagne, and if the flavor gets buried by the carbonation, it usually just feels like a cheap Cava, but I enjoyed Galaxy quite a bit.

AI Translated Image

Ouroku Takemichi 4-star Junmai Ginjo: After drinking this, I decided I MUST buy the Ouroku 5-star... (but I haven't been able to get it yet..)

AI Translated Image

Juroku Dai Kuroemon Junmai Ginjo Miyamanishiki: Wow... I was seriously impressed by this. The value for money is insane. After this, I've been buying every Kuroemon variety I can get my hands on.

AI Translated Image

Mimurosugi Kioke-bodaimoto Tsuyuhakaze: The hype (viral) in this gallery exists for a reason. I'm starting to collect Kioke-bodaimoto whenever I see it.

AI Translated Image

Tengumai Junmai Daiginjo: I picked this up during a Bright Mall sale and it was surprisingly delicious. I'll buy it again if I see it.

AI Translated Image

Takasago Matsukuitsuru Junmai Daiginjo: I thought Jikon Nabari, which I had by the glass in Japan, had great balance, and Takasago was similar. This one feels a bit more like a food-pairing style.

AI Translated Image

Denshu Tokubetsu Junmai: This is the OG. I have good memories of drinking it, but it's also a source of rage because I failed at the payment step so many times when the Nama version dropped...

AI Translated Image

Mizuo Junmai Daiginjo: Bought from JizakeCY, manufactured in August '23. It was pricey, retail in Japan is probably around 5500 yen? I was worried since it was 2 years old, but it was delicious. The clean texture and umami were impressive. I've bought over 20 bottles from JizakeCY this year, and several were 1-2 years old, but they were all in great condition. Personally, if the storage is good, I don't care much about the manufacture date being a year or two old.

AI Translated Image

AI Translated Image

Iwashimizu Gowa Ringo Supless & Niwa Ringo Harmony: Enjoyed both. I plan to buy Iwashimizu whenever I get the chance.

AI Translated Image

Ubusuna Yamada Nishiki 7-no: I saw a lot of bad reviews... but honestly, I liked it. Hand-carried it from Shuhan, and while the 2-no was good, I felt this was better in every way.

AI Translated Image

Senkin Modern Ichishiki: The GOAT of value-for-money this year. Bought it locally for 1900 yen and drank it at the hotel immediately—satisfaction was off the charts.

AI Translated Image

Shinshu Kirei Junmai Daiginjo Premium Gold: The 'Money-flex' GOAT of the year. It definitely has that 'for that price?' factor, but honestly, it was delicious. That characteristic clean, high-end taste keeps lingering in my mind.

AI Translated Image

Ibi Blue: Top tier in terms of flavor this year. Picked it up during a Busan 'Sake Trip' for about 120k KRW... and I'd buy it again even at that price. It was that good. The fruitiness and balance from the aroma to the palate were top-notch. It was good enough to drink on its own without any snacks. This got way too long lol. Anyway, as a sake noob, I've learned a lot from Ni-Gal and tried many great sakes. Thanks for a fun year, I'll try even harder next year!