Volume：720ml
ABV：12%

“Kabosu” is a type of Japanese citrus, known for its refreshing aroma and vibrant acidity. It’s so gentle on delicate ingredients like fugu (blowfish) and sashimi that it’s a staple condiment on Japanese dining tables. While Kabosu is widely recognized in Japan, it remained obscure overseas—until a certain Shiba Inu came along.

In 2008, a kindergarten teacher named Atsuko Sato adopted a Shiba Inu with a large, round face reminiscent of a Kabosu fruit. Naming her new companion “Kabosu,” she began posting photos and stories of the dog on her blog. By a twist of fate, one photo of Kabosu sitting with crossed paws and a knowing gaze went viral in America, becoming an iconic meme. This image eventually inspired Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency now valued at 19 billion USD!

Back to the drink: about 98% of Japan’s kabosu fruit is grown in Oita Prefecture. Local brewery Oyama-machi Yumekoubou has crafted this unique umeshu by blending the tart, high-acidity juice of kabosu with their house-made ou-shuku plum liqueur. The result? An umeshu with a totally unprecedented level of freshness.

On the nose, you’ll find a bright lime-like tartness, mixed with sweet orange zest and the underlying aroma of plums—utterly refreshing! The palate starts with a gentle sweetness from the plum, followed by a sweet-and-sour citrus finish, and a hint of yuzu peel in the aftertaste. With low overall sweetness and perfect harmony between the citrus and plum, this is a layered, crisp, and very drinkable umeshu.