Choryo Yoshinosugi is an iconic sake that every enthusiast should try. It’s the archetype of cedar-aged sake and arguably the best of its kind.
This post will explore Yoshinosugi taru, the sake’s tasting notes, pairing recommendations, service tips, and more.
Choryo Yoshinosugi Tasting Notes
Choryo Yoshinosugi brought back the taru sake style, and today remains at the top of the category. It’s supple, herbal, floral, nutty, and has that classic ki-ga aroma of spicy cedar.
Choryo Yoshinosugi doesn’t hide its aromas and flavors of cedar. This is a piney, floral, resiny, spicy character with some green apple tossed in. Other notes include almonds, potpourri, and mint. It’s relatively dry on the palate and rounded in texture.
Choryo: The King of Taru Sake
The Choryo Brewery’s “Yoshinosugi” Taru sake is undoubtedly the archetype of cedar-aged brews. The use of cedar tanks and barrels completely ceased once modern stainless steel took hold. Choryo 長龍 was the first to bring it back, in 1964, albeit with much less time in cedar than was used in the past. And with this futsu-shu being their flagship taru, it makes it the quintessential representation of the taru style.
The uncharred cedar casks are coopered by Choryo. For this sake they use barrels up to three times and age the sake in them for around three weeks. Only the koutsuki part of the cedar is used. This middle layer provides the most balanced flavor– not too strong, not too light. Other brewers often use the stronger, red interior layer.
The Yoshinosugi name is derived from the premium cedar (sugi 杉) used from the nearby forests of Yoshino 吉野.
This is one of my all-time favorite sake. It made my top sake brands post, and it wasn’t even a question.
If you want to learn more about Choryo Sake and their legendary cedar sake program, check out this excellent blog post from Tippsy Sake. I am an affiliate advertiser for Tippsy. So any purchases made through this link earn me a commission.
Pairing Yoshinosugi Sake
This taruzake is somewhat comparable to oaky California-style Chardonnay with regards to food.
The woody spice and the buttery (lactic) palate work in somewhat similar ways. Heavier dishes work best– particularly those that feature dairy: creme-based sauce or Beurre blanc, pizza or cheese plates, and buttery dishes come to mind.
But also: smoked dishes, shellfish, oily fish, mushrooms, duck and pork-based cuisine, plus miso-forward dishes should all be good starting points for pairing. Steamed lobster with butter and Choryo Yoshinosugi sake, please!
Choryo Service Recommendations
Yoshinosugi is best served slightly chilled or gently warmed.
A white wine glass will show all of the fine edges of this sake as well as a firmer structure. But make sure to only use wine glasses for chilled or room temperature sake.
Smaller cups (ochoko) will provide a mellower profile and lessen the impact of the cedar.
Choryo Yoshinosugi Technical Specs
Choryo “Yoshinosugi no Taru 吉野杉の樽” “Cedar Country” Futsushu Taruzake
Rice: milled to 55%
SMV: ± 0 Acid: 1.2 ABV: 15-16%
Choryo Junmai Tarusake
This is the more premium cousin of the standard Yoshinosugi. It’s a junmai grade, as opposed to a futsu-shu. And it uses Omachi sake rice.
Choryo Junmai Taru is a little harder to find and a bit pricier too. But it’s still an excellent value. Choryo does not charge as much as they should. The amount of effort they put into making their taruzake is high.
Check out my Choryo Junmai Taru review to learn more about this elegant cedar-aged sake.
The Choryo Sake Brewery
BREWERY: Choryo Shuzo 長龍酒造 LOCATION: Koryo, Nara
EST: 1923 English Site / 日本語
The Choryo Brewery is the king of taru sake, and one of Nara prefecture’s elite sake producers. From their relatively recent inception they have made sake aged in cedar casks– a practice that had died out post-stainless steel and glass. They use Yoshino cedar for their barrels which they cooper in-house.
But Choryo Shuzo is not limited to the eccentricities of taru sake. Their Futaho ふた穂 brand also features some fantastic products. In addition to this, the Choryo Brewery brews a lot of Kimoto, Yamahai (in a lighter style), and Koshu sake.
The brewery’s filtered water is from the Yoshino River and is considered soft.
Check out my review of the Choryo Sake Brewery to learn more!
Label Translation / Kanji
Choryo 長龍
Yoshinosugi 吉野杉 Yoshinosugi no Taru 吉野杉の樽
Taruzake 樽酒
Nara 奈良 Yoshino 吉野