Mizuo

Tanakaya Shuzoten, based in Nagano Prefecture, built Mizuo around a philosophy of restraint: the name means source of water, and the sake is conceived as a supporting presence at the table rather than a center-stage drink. Contract-grown rice from within five kilometers of the brewery, including a heavy reliance on the local Kinmon Nishiki variety, and brewing water drawn from a well 15 kilometers away give Mizuo its signature round sweetness and silky texture.