Izumibashi Umeshu Yamada Juro Junmai Daiginjo Sake Plum Wine (500ml)

Izumibashi Sake Brewery is based in Kanagawa Prefecture, in Japan's Kanto region, an area known for combining traditional sake craftsmanship with a strong local agricultural identity. While the brewery is respected for its range of premium sake, this umeshu, or plum wine, showcases a different side of its expertise, blending brewing skill with the region's prized fruit harvest.

Yamada Juro takes its name from two key ingredients: Yamadanishiki, the premium rice used in the brewery's junmai daiginjo sake, and Juro ume, a high-end plum variety grown locally in Kanagawa and prized for its thick, soft pulp and rich flavor. Rather than using a neutral spirit as its base, this umeshu is slowly matured using an actual junmai daiginjo sake, infused with the plums and slow-melting rock sugar over an extended aging period that allows the flavors to fully meld.

The result is far from a typical sweet plum liqueur. Aromas of ripe plum, brown sugar, honey, and cooked apple lead into a palate that stays tart and brisk, with an elegant sourness balancing the sweetness. The daiginjo base lends a soft, rounded mouthfeel and a clean, refined finish. Serve it chilled as an aperitif, or alongside charcuterie, smoked meats, or roasted pork.