In the bottle: The initial impression is dominated by cedar, reminiscent of a cedar closet, complemented by subtle sake-like aromas. After allowing it to open up, the cedar recedes slightly, revealing classic sake characteristics—primarily fruity notes of peach and lychee, along with a gentle vanilla undertone. Overall, Sugi no Sei is notably mellow, with no single element overpowering the others. This balanced harmony is one of its strengths, resulting in a cohesive and engaging profile that builds clear excitement for what is in the glass.

On the rocks: Exceptionally smooth, it evokes the experience of enjoying sake in a cedar-lined room. The sake-derived notes are pronounced, with the fruitier aspects (peach and lychee) leading, followed by a subtle, pleasant milk chocolate nuance. Supporting elements include soft vanilla and licorice, which integrate seamlessly, never becoming intrusive. The cedar remains a consistent presence throughout, contributing welcome complexity—a flavor profile not typically associated with kasutori shochu, yet highly effective here. This stands out as one of the finer barrel-aged shochu expressions I have encountered recently, and it has convinced me to seek out other cedar-aged variants in the future.

Straight: The texture is velvety, rich with sake influences such as licorice, peach, and lychee. A subtle vanilla emerges toward the finish, unifying the components before a dry, woody cedar note arrives. This final cedar dryness ties the elements together into a distinctive and intriguing whole.

Paired with Chocolate: Paired with Tony's Chocolonely 70% dark chocolate, the combination is outstanding. Sugi no Sei enhances the chocolate significantly, introducing prominent cherry-like dark chocolate notes and a nutty character reminiscent of chocolate-covered almonds. The synergy is exceptional—so much so that I immediate went back for a repeat tasting—this ranks among the most successful pairings I have experienced.