Daishichi is a legend in the sake world, and their umeshu—crafted with their own pure rice sake as the base—consistently wins praise from drinkers. The first time I tasted Daishichi Umeshu, I couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly: “I can’t believe plum wine can taste like this!” Maybe I was naïve, but the surprise and delight Daishichi Umeshu gave me were profound, and I’ve always wanted to share this experience.

Though labeled as umeshu, you’ll first notice a gentle plum fragrance on the nose. Take a sip, and the sake character shines through—soft, delicate, with refined rice notes drifting out. For a moment, you might not even be sure what you’re drinking, until the plum’s subtle tartness arrives, cleanly gliding across the palate. The finish is crisp, with lingering notes of both sake and plum—leaving you wanting another sip. In the heat of summer, a chilled glass of this invigorating umeshu is simply irresistible!

It’s rare for a single bottle to inspire such respect for a brewery. Daishichi’s commitment to the time-honored kimoto method (despite its high cost) sets them apart. Yet, they continue to innovate, blending 260 years of tradition with fresh, new ideas for sake x umeshu.

If you’ve never tried Daishichi before, starting with this refreshingly crisp umeshu is a great way to get to know this legendary brewery.