The Choya Extra Years Ume Fruit Liqueur

The Choya Extra Years Ume Fruit Liqueur is a traditional Japanese plum liqueur made by Choya, one of Japan's best known umeshu producers, from selected aromatic ume plums matured in alcohol over a long period. That extended maturation is the point, drawing an intense, harmonious fruitiness with fine sweetness and an elegant acidity, and it is bottled at 17%.

The nose is fruity and intense with ripe ume plums, fine honey, almonds and a hint of marzipan, the palate soft, sweet and balanced with juicy ume fruit, gentle acidity and a subtle nutty note, closing long and velvety. Behind the bar it adds ripe plum sweetness, body and a natural tartness that balances a drink, working well in a sour, a spritz or a highball alongside Japanese flavours. It can be enjoyed neat at room temperature or slightly chilled, suits desserts such as creme brulee or almond biscuits, and pours cleanly over ice.