Taruzake (barrel-aged sake)

Taruzake (樽酒) refers to sake that has been stored in a wooden barrel. Because of the barrel's material, the aroma of cedar transfers to the sake, giving it a distinctive flavor. When sake is stored in a wooden barrel, it takes on kiga (wood aroma), and this appealing fragrance draws in those who drink it. Under Japan's labeling standards for sake production methods and quality, taruzake is defined as "sake stored in a wooden barrel and imbued with wood aroma." It may be labeled as such whether or not it is bottled at the time of shipment, and even when it is shipped still in the barrel. In other words, taruzake is sake that has been filled into a barrel to take on its aroma, and it is offered as taruzake whether it is shipped directly from the barrel or transferred into another container such as a bottle. As one of Japan's traditional sake styles, it is popular among sake enthusiasts for its distinctive aroma and flavor.