This is the highest-end masterpiece from Nakada Shokuhin, a giant in the umeshu world. Only one barrel—just 500 bottles—is produced each year, making it exceptionally rare. In Hong Kong, bottles often sell for over a thousand HKD. Here at Mugigawa, we managed to secure a batch at a reasonable price—most were snapped up instantly. Now, as the new year begins, the “TARU 5-Year Barrel-Aged Umeshu” has finally returned, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all friends seeking the ultimate umeshu experience.

The liquid has a noble deep red color, pleasing to the eye. The aroma’s tart plum note instantly stimulates your palate, urging you to take a sip. On the palate, the sweetness is modest, but the plum flavor is extremely rich. The texture is silky and refined; the fragrance of plum and wood fills your mouth, yet the 20% alcohol is almost unnoticeable. After swallowing, the lingering plum aroma in your mouth will make you sigh with satisfaction: “Wow… this is incredible.” The sense of fulfillment is indescribable—this must be what they mean by truly “fragrant and mellow” sake!

A rare treasure deserves a premium presentation. Each bottle is encased in a handcrafted box made from renowned Wakayama Kishu cedar. Open the box and a gentle woodsy aroma wafts out. The box itself feels solid and weighty in your hands, the deep brown wood grain adding both elegance and luxury—truly irresistible.

The process is also uncompromising: only the finest Kishu Nanko plums are steeped in spirit for one year, then aged a further five years in oak barrels (the word “TARU” means barrel in Japanese). This time-consuming, meticulous approach makes large-scale production impossible—only a single barrel is made each year. For Nakada Shokuhin, the limited sales of just 500 bottles may not be a huge business, but the real point is clear: “We, too, can make world-class umeshu.”

With such refined packaging, individually numbered bottles, and a flavor this satisfying, it’s a perfect choice whether for gifting or self-indulgence. Want to try a top-class umeshu? Don’t hesitate!