Le Lectier is a pear variety originally from France, introduced to Japan during the Meiji era. The Japanese were so taken by its sweet, juicy character that they began cultivating it in Niigata Prefecture in 1903. While the difficulty of growing Le Lectier has led many French farmers to abandon it, farmers in Niigata have persisted, refining their cultivation techniques to the point that Niigata is now the world’s primary producer of Le Lectier pears—a regional specialty and prized agricultural product.

With limited production, Le Lectier is known in Japan as the "phantom pear," and it commands a premium price—upwards of HKD $50 each in Hong Kong. When turning such a high-end fruit into liqueur, the focus must be on capturing the fruit’s pure, original flavor. Niigata’s Fukugao Brewery does just that, using Le Lectier pears and sake as the base, producing a liqueur with no added sugar—just the natural sweetness of the pear itself.

Upon opening, you’re greeted by the pure aroma of pear—gentle, soothing, and unpretentious. The texture is rounded, the sweetness lower than most fruit liqueurs, and the finish is a delicate lingering pear fragrance. Overall, it’s like a delicious, aromatic pear juice with a touch of alcohol—simple, authentic, and satisfying.

Crafting such a delicious fruit liqueur with no added sugar is no easy feat.