This is the Takara Craft Fukushima Akatsuki Peach Chūhai, made with 8% straight cloudy juice from Akatsuki white peaches—a variety emblematic of Fukushima Prefecture—blended with barrel-aged shōchū. It contained 7% alcohol by volume.
The chūhai had a translucent off-white appearance and a sweet, mellow floral white peach aroma, complemented by mild carbonation. Served chilled and over ice, it delivered a balanced sweetness, with the Akatsuki peach notes presenting a rich, melting flavour accompanied by a pronounced floral presence in both taste and aroma. The finish was dry, making it an excellent pairing for izakaya favourites such as enban gyōza. While those with particularly sensitive palates might detect a faint bitterness, it was not intrusive, with the chūhai highlighting the deeply satisfying flavour of Akatsuki peach.
This Akatsuki peach flavour inspired us to explore the other flavours in the Takara Craft range, which features a series of over 40 flavours, each spotlighting fruits from various prefectures across Japan. A regional poster showcased the Tōhoku-specific options.
This Takara Craft Akastuki Peach Chūhai contained 330 mL. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Fukushima, Japan in 2024.