NINKI TARU BARRELLED JUNMAI GINJO 0.72L – SAKE BREWED AND AGED IN JAPANESE CEDAR VATS AND BARRELS

What does "Taru" actually mean?

Taru refers to a wooden barrel or vat, and in the world of sake, the term is primarily associated with the use of wood for storing or producing the drink. In the case of Ninki Taru, something even more interesting takes place – the sake comes into contact with cedar twice.

The sake is first made in a traditional wooden vat and then transferred to a cedar barrel, where it acquires additional aroma for a short period. This is precisely why its profile is so distinctive. This is not long-term ageing like whisky – here, the wood is primarily used to give fresh sake its character.

Japanese cedar is not a random choice. Ninki uses traditional wooden vats made from cedar, and the producer emphasises that such vessels help create a deeper and more complex character in the sake.

This is why Ninki Taru can be seen as something of a bridge between two worlds: traditional Japanese Nihonshu and aromatic wood-aged spirits.

What is the best way to serve Ninki Taru?

With this sake, it is worth moving away from the stereotype that Japanese alcohol must always be served in a small sake cup. Ninki Taru works beautifully in a white wine glass, which allows the cedar aromas to gather and makes it easier to appreciate its complex character.

It is best to begin the tasting with well-chilled sake. The lower temperature highlights its freshness and citrus notes, while the cedar character keeps the drink expressive. You can also experiment with temperature and see how its profile changes as it warms slightly.

Ninki Taru works well as a digestif, but its more intense character also makes it suitable for pairing with food. It is particularly interesting with very rich and strongly flavoured dishes, where the freshness and acidity of the sake help cleanse the palate.

What does Ninki Taru Barrelled Junmai Ginjo pair well with?

This is a sake made for bolder pairings. Its pronounced cedar aroma and more intense profile work well with fatty fish, grilled meats, pork dishes, and Asian cuisine with stronger flavours.

You can also treat it as an interesting digestif after a meal. In this role, it particularly reveals its unconventional side – instead of a light and subtle sake, you get a drink with a pronounced woody aroma and a long finish.

If you are just beginning your adventure with sake, Ninki Taru can be the perfect "stereotype breaker". One bottle is enough to discover that sake does not have to be delicate, slightly sweet, and similar to every other sake.

Ninki Taru Barrelled Junmai Ginjo is available from Propaganda Alkohole. If you are also looking for other interesting spirits from Japan and around the world, take a look at our selection. The product is also available at our Propaganda Alkohole store in Warsaw at 51 Aleja Komisji Edukacji Narodowej.