Japan’s Best Umeshu, Elevated: Whisky Barrel Edition

A Luxurious Umeshu: Japan’s Best Umeshu × Ichiro’s Malt

Meiri Shurui presents a special edition Hyakunen Umeshu, created in collaboration with the renowned Ichiro’s Malt from Chichibu Distillery, a long-time partner. This premium umeshu combines two of Japan’s most celebrated spirits, offering a truly luxurious tasting experience.

For this edition, whisky barrels aged in Chichibu were borrowed to further mature the already exceptional Hyakunen Umeshu. The base umeshu is aged for 12 months in these barrels before being blended with carefully selected malt whisky. The result is a rich, aromatic fusion that reveals delicate vanilla notes from the whisky barrels alongside a complex, full-bodied sweetness.

On the palate, it offers a smooth, velvety texture. The flavor unfolds with refined, gentle sweetness—intense yet never cloying—finishing clean and elegant. This is umeshu elevated to a new level, marrying the character of traditional Japanese plum wine with the sophistication of premium whisky.

A Passion for Umeshu

For Meiri Shurui, umeshu is more than a product—it is a tradition nurtured for over 160 years. The company traces its roots back to the Edo period, when the founder of the Kato Sake Brewery settled in Mito, a place blessed with pristine spring water. Inspired by the nearby Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens, the brewery was among the first to craft umeshu professionally, transforming what had long been a homemade drink into a refined expression of Japanese culture.
Beyond product development, Meiri Shurui has continued to share the joy of umeshu through lectures, workshops, and interactive programs such as the popular “Umeshu Making Experience” at its Besshunkan shop.

The Hyakunen Umeshu Legacy

Launched in 1998 with the vision of being “an umeshu loved for 100 years,” Hyakunen Umeshu is celebrated for its deep, mature character achieved through long aging. Crafted with Meiri Shurui’s blending expertise, it won Japan’s No.1 award at the 2nd Tenman Tenjin Umeshu Competition, standing out among 124 entries nationwide. Since then, it has earned numerous accolades and continues to be cherished by umeshu enthusiasts in Japan and around the world.