CHOYA EXTRA YEARS - 700ML

The CHOYA Extra Years is a richer, more mature-style umeshu aged for around 2–3 years using 100% Kishu Nanko ume fruit.

Tasting notes

Appearance

• Deep amber to golden honey color
• Slightly richer hue than standard umeshu due to aging

Nose

• Concentrated ripe ume plum
• Almond and marzipan
• Light smokiness
• Honeyed sweetness
• Subtle brandy-like richness and dried fruit notes

Palate

• Rich, rounded sweetness
• Stewed plum and candied apricot
• Marzipan and almond paste
• Gentle tart ume acidity balancing the sweetness
• Smooth texture with mild oxidative maturity
• Slight caramelized or nutty depth from aging

Finish

• Long and mellow
• Lingering sweet-sour plum character
• Soft nuttiness
• Light smoky warmth
• Clean but luxurious aftertaste

Overall style

Compared with regular CHOYA:

• less sharp and youthful,
• deeper and smoother,
• more dessert-like,
• with stronger almond/marzipan character and a more elegant aged profile.

A common comparison is somewhere between:

• aged plum wine,
• apricot liqueur,
• and lightly oxidative dessert wine.

Some enthusiasts particularly like it in cocktails because the aged profile integrates well with whisky, soda, and citrus. Reddit users often describe it as the more balanced and versatile bottle in the Extra series.

Best serves

• chilled neat,
• on the rocks,
• with sparkling soda,
• or paired with:
  • cheesecake,
  • almond desserts,
  • dark chocolate,
  • or blue cheese.