Do you all like awamori?

---No, I already know the answer without even having to hear it.
Because Awamori is a delicious alcoholic beverage nurtured in the tropical paradise of Okinawa. It is the culmination of techniques and traditions passed down since ancient times. It is the soul of Okinawa!

However, when you actually try to buy souvenirs, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer variety available.

So this time, from the countless Awamori available, we've picked out some that you can buy in a 720ml bottle for under 1,000 yen . We've arbitrarily decided on our top 3, divided into new and aged Awamori !

※Introduction
This ranking is also by the author独断と偏見That has been decided.
Also, prices vary depending on where and how you purchase them. The criteria for "under 1,000 yen" is:Purchase price at liquor stores and supermarkets in Okinawa Prefecture.

In addition, following the revision of the labeling for aged awamori in August 2015, it became impossible to call a drink "aged awamori" unless "100% of the entire volume is aged for 3 years or more."

Some of the top 3 aged awamori in this ranking may not qualify as "aged awamori" according to current standards. However, we have included them in the ranking because they are "awamori that can be fully enjoyed as aged awamori even if they are not 100% aged." We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The reviews are rated on a 5-star scale for "ease of drinking" and "suitability as a souvenir." While everyone has different preferences when it comes to alcohol, we hope that not only awamori lovers but also those who haven't tried awamori much will enjoy it.

<Table of Contents>
1. How to drink Awamori
1-1. How to make Awamori with water
1-2. How to make Awamori on the rocks
2. New Sake Category Best3
2-1. [3rd place] Dream Voyage
2-2. [2nd Place] Awamori Masahiro
2-3. [1st Place] Kikunotsuyu Brown
3. Best 3 in the Aged Sake Category
3-1. [3rd Place] Ryukyu Classic
3-2. [2nd Place] Ryukyu Awamori Ryukyu Kingdom
3-3. [1st Place] Ryukyu Awamori Mild Mizuho
4. I love Awamori!

1. How to drink Awamori

Before announcing the rankings, let me briefly explain the drinking method I used as a criterion for determining the rankings!
Awamori is a versatile alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed in many ways besides those listed below. Even with the same awamori, the taste can change surprisingly depending on how you drink it, so it's best to try different methods!

　1-1. How to make Awamori with water

This is the most standard way to drink it among the people of Okinawa Prefecture.
At drinking parties, there's often a "awamori magistrate" (not a hot pot magistrate) who demonstrates their skills by adjusting the strength of the awamori depending on how drunk the other person is.

Diluting it with water enhances the flavor and aroma, making even strong-tasting awamori much easier to drink, so it's a recommended way to enjoy it even for those who aren't strong drinkers.
Incidentally, the taste changes not only depending on the concentration, but also on whether you use "soft water" or "hard water"!

The key is to use plenty of ice!

　1-2. How to make Awamori on the rocks

To fully enjoy the authentic taste and aroma of Awamori, drink it on the rocks.
In Okinawa, whiskey and water are generally preferred, but enjoying the change in taste as the ice melts is also a way to appreciate it.

Having a chaser like water or jasmine tea is recommended, as it allows you to appreciate the depth and complexity of awamori even more.

Okay, enough with the trivia, let's start announcing the "Ranking of Awamori You Can Buy for Under 1,000 Yen"!

2. New Sake Category Best3

Awamori can be broadly classified into two types: "new liquor" and "aged liquor."
First up, we'll announce the top 3 "new sake" that have been stored for less than 3 years!

1st place: Kikunotsuyu Brown
2nd place: Awamori Masahiro
3rd place: Dream Voyage

New sake is generally more reasonably priced than aged sake. It's great that you can try various kinds without worrying about your budget! However, many people may find the alcohol content to be quite strong and difficult to drink.

So, this time, I've selected three bottles that are not only easy to drink, but also have a rich flavor and sweetness that rivals aged sake!

　2-1. [3rd place] Dream Voyage

【evaluation】
Ease of drinking: ★★★☆☆
Souvenir value: ★★☆☆☆

【basic information】
■Brewery: Chuko Sake Brewery
■度数：30度
■Recommended way to drink: On the rocks

A long-selling product released in 1983.
It has a slightly strong alcoholic aroma, but when you taste it, the sweetness stands out and there's no unpleasant aftertaste. It's a "table awamori" that can be enjoyed on the rocks or with meals, making it perfect for your daily evening drink!

If you're a fan of alcohol and looking for a souvenir for yourself, this is definitely a bottle worth trying.

　2-2. [2nd Place] Awamori Masahiro

【evaluation】
Ease of drinking: ★★★☆☆
Souvenir value: ★★★☆☆

【basic information】
■Brewery: Masahiro Brewery (formerly Higa Brewery)
■度数：30度
■Recommended way to drink it: With water

This is another awamori that has been loved for over 50 years.
This awamori has a grainy flavor with little bitterness and a well-balanced aroma that isn't overpowering. If you're looking for something different from the usual awamori from Okinawa Island, give this a try.

This might make a great extra gift for someone who enjoys alcohol!

　2-3. [1st Place] Kikunotsuyu Brown

【evaluation】
Ease of drinking: ★★★☆☆
Souvenir rating: ★★★★☆

【basic information】
■Brewery: Kikunotsuyu Sake Brewery
■度数：30度
■Recommended ways to drink: with water or on the rocks

This is Okinawa's down-to-earth awamori! It's a classic awamori that Okinawans love.
Despite its low price, this awamori offers the simple yet delicious flavor unique to remote islands. Its distinctive sweetness makes it irresistible for awamori lovers.

Diluting it with water reduces its strong flavor, making it enjoyable even for those who don't usually drink awamori, as they can appreciate its aroma.

3. Best 3 in the Aged Sake Category

Compared to new sake, aged sake has a deeper body, sweetness, and aroma. However, it is often more expensive, making it difficult to try casually, which is a bit of a problem.

So, next up is the announcement of the Best 3 in the aged sake category!

1st Place: Ryukyu Awamori Mild Mizuho
2nd place: Ryukyu Awamori Ryukyu Kingdom
3rd place: Ryukyu Classic

These three titles proudly made it onto the list.
As mentioned in the "Introduction" of this article, this time we have also included "aged awamori blends."

Despite the strict condition of "Awamori that lets you enjoy the deliciousness of aged awamori for under 1,000 yen," these three bottles performed admirably, and with a round of applause, let's begin the review!

　3-1. [3rd Place] Ryukyu Classic

【evaluation】
Ease of drinking: ★★★★☆
Souvenir value: ★★★☆☆

【basic information】
■Brewery: Shinri Brewery
■度数：25度
■Recommended way to drink: Anything

If you're a fan of Awamori, you'll know that it's a drink that enjoys unwavering popularity.
This is a major product that is relatively easy to find even on the mainland, but what's particularly noteworthy is that it's inexpensive yet "100% 3-year-old aged liquor." If you want to easily enjoy aged liquor, you could say there's no other option.

With its rounded sweetness and soft flavor, it tastes delicious no matter how you drink it. This is a bottle that will dispel the image that "awamori is difficult to drink"!

　3-2. [2nd Place] Ryukyu Awamori Ryukyu Kingdom

【evaluation】
Ease of drinking: ★★★☆☆
Souvenir rating: ★★★★★

【basic information】
■Brewery: Taragawa
■度数：30度
■Recommended way to drink: On the rocks

I really wanted to include an aged awamori from a remote island in this ranking, so I forced this one in.
That's because finding "Ryukyu Kingdom" for under 1,000 yen is extremely difficult, even within Okinawa Prefecture. You'll probably find it for a little over 1,000 yen, even at the cheapest.

But even knowing that some of you might criticize me for saying, "That's not fair!", this is a delicious awamori that I can recommend!

"Ryukyu Dynasty" from Taragawa Brewery in Miyako Island is an awamori blended with aged awamori as its base.
An impressive aroma, a sweetness that spreads across the tongue, a powerful throat hit, and a lingering aftertaste. This is a very strong awamori; you could even get pleasantly tipsy just from the aroma alone. (Of course, I'd love to drink it!)

This is perfect for those who like strong alcohol, or those who want to savor their drinks slowly.

　3-3. [1st Place] Ryukyu Awamori Mild Mizuho

【evaluation】
Ease of drinking: ★★★★★
Souvenir rating: ★★★★☆

【basic information】
■Brewery: Mizuho Brewery
■度数：25度
■Recommended ways to drink: with water or on the rocks

The number one spot in our Top 3 Aged Awamori list goes to Mizuho Shuzo's Awamori, a truly undeniable choice!
This is also an awamori blended with aged liquor, and it stands out as the lightest and most refreshing bottle in this lineup.

It has a gorgeous aroma and a light, refreshing taste, and the sweetness when you sip it is wonderful. It's especially delicious when mixed with water, as the characteristic sweetness of awamori really stands out!
It's incredibly easy to drink, yet has a rich flavor, so I can confidently recommend it to both awamori beginners and awamori enthusiasts.

This awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit) is perfect as a souvenir to remember your trip to Okinawa.

4. I love Awamori!

Awamori is a delicious alcoholic beverage that has been nurtured over a very long period of time, alongside the history of Okinawa.
To simply lump them all together as "awamori" is an understatement, as each variety is far too unique and full of charm.

There are so many delicious awamori that I regret not being able to introduce them all this time.
---Ah, I really do love awamori!

We encourage you to try different kinds of awamori and find your "favorite bottle"!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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