Shimizuya Shuzo in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, was revived in 2010 after a quarter-century hiatus when the sixth generation of the family returned to brewing, having originally been founded in 1873. Sakaemasu, their flagship brand, is released in numbered annual vintages presented in wine-style bottles, developing from fresh peach and citrus aromas when young into richer, pear-like complexity with age. The vintage approach treats each year's brew as a distinct expression, earning the brand a following among sake drinkers who value aged and terroir-driven styles.
