As April arrives, marking a season of new beginnings and blooming flowers, cherry blossoms across Japan have been reaching full bloom, and many people are enjoying lively hanami parties!
As for me, I've been spending my days playing a certain hunting game alone at home.
Just then, I received "Sekitoba Plum Liqueur" from Hamada Syuzo, a shochu maker in Kagoshima! Thank you very much!
Now, I will review "Sekitoba Plum Liqueur," made with authentic imo shochu as its base.
*Alcohol is for those aged 20 and over! Please drink responsibly.
"Sekitoba Plum Liqueur," the Sekitoba Liqueur from Hamada Syuzo
The Hamada Syuzo Group was founded in 1868, making it a super long-established shochu maker founded in Meiji 1.
Headquartered in Ichiki-kushikino City, Kagoshima Prefecture, they have created various products from three breweries: Denbee-gura, Denzoin-gura, and Kinzan-gura.
Especially in recent years, authentic imo shochu "DAIYAME" and botanical barley shochu "CHILL GREEN" have been popular in the market.
The Saiga NAK editorial team has also often featured Hamada Syuzo products, including a review of authentic barley shochu "Ukaze" and a Kinzan-gura report!
Through that connection, I received "Sekitoba Plum Liqueur".
Leaving aside how they knew I like plum liqueur, let's get right to introducing the product!
"Sekitoba Plum Liqueur" is a liqueur made with Hamada Syuzo's authentic imo shochu "Sasshu Sekitoba" as its base.
Speaking of "Sasshu Sekitoba," we also reviewed it on Saiga NAK about 4 years ago... time flies, doesn't it?
No matter when you see it, the impact of the Issho-bin (the 1,800ml bottle) is tremendous.
"Sekitoba Plum Liqueur" is available for purchase from the Hamada Group official online shop at...
- 720ml: ¥1,479 (including tax)
- 1,800ml: ¥2,813 (including tax)
Ha!
Slam!!
Thinking about how this weight and presence feel like I could probably land a stun or two... anyway, let's get back to the review.
"Sekitoba Plum Liqueur" is an authentic imo shochu-based plum liqueur made by steeping Nanko plums from Kagoshima Prefecture in imo shochu "Sekitoba." It is characterized by the rich robustness of imo shochu "Sekitoba" and the refreshing acidity derived from the fruity Nanko plums. Please enjoy its mellow and gentle taste.
As it is a liqueur from the historical shochu maker Hamada Syuzo, it is, of course, shochu-based.
"Sasshu Sekitoba" was a flavorful shochu that was easy to drink yet retained the characteristic aroma of imo shochu. But what about the plum liqueur...?
Saiga NAK
The kanji written on the cork appears to be in seal script and says "Fukan Chokuzume" (Sealed and Directly Filled). Experts, is that right!?
...and so, after a long preamble, I will finally try "Sekitoba Plum Liqueur."
I like it on the rocks, so I'll have a small sip as a nightcap...!
The moment I opened the cap, a complex plum aroma sharply hit my nose. But by the time I poured it into the glass, it had changed into a mellow fragrance.
The taste certainly had the refreshingness of plum liqueur, but the deep richness was very impressive.
If you drink it straight or on the rocks, you can settle in and enjoy it slowly. If you mix it with soda, the refreshingness increases, and you could probably gulp it down.
As an esports media outlet, I tried adding some dramatic lighting for the photos.
Although the texture isn't thick, coupled with the cloudiness, it looks quite nice.
I used a glass for the review photos, but for serious drinking, I use a tumbler.
Since the ice melts slower than in a glass, the flavor changes gradually over a long time.
My hunting also progresses smoothly!
While recommending it to friends, I finished the Issho-bin in no time.
Although some say that young people are moving away from shochu, "Sekitoba Plum Liqueur" is an outstanding liqueur that retains the robustness of authentic imo shochu while being made easy to drink, making it appealing to younger generations who enjoy plum liqueur.
It seems like it would also be a great way to celebrate a new job or a move.
Available for purchase from the Hamada Group official online shop.
On the official "Sasshu Sekitoba" website, a column explaining "Sekitoba Plum Liqueur" is also available. Be sure to take a look!
