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Ninki Ichi Atsukan Special (人気ー　熱燗スペシャル) 

Ninki-ichi is a pretty new brewery, established in 2007 and are trying to give their labels and sake a modern, stylish image. At least that's the idea apparently, although I'm not too sure about the label on this one.

This sake is made with rice, kouji and added alcohol. The rice is polished to 60%.

It's a crystal clear sake, like water, and tastes light with the typical alcoholic sake smell.

I had this at room temperature first and you can definitely taste the alchohol. Not overpoweringly strong but definitely there.

It was pretty dry and little cloying in the mouth. Tastes like a typical sake, which isn't a bad thing, but not too special.

At room temperature I scored it about 85/100, it's very drinkable but as I say nothing special.

It's recommended to be drunk warm (atuskan means "hot" or warm sake), so I put it in my "denchii renji" (microwave), and pressed the "atsukan" button - you gotta love these Japanese microwaves.

Well, not a huge improvement to be honest. SSmoother but pretty much the same as before, only warmer. Bit disappointing.

I would give it a higher score when drunk warm and definitely preferred drinking it that way, but it didn't vastly improve the taste.

Having said that I finished the 720ml bottle in one evening so it couldn't have been that bad!

Oh, I forgot to mention, this won a Gold at the 2009 Japan Slow Food competition.

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