Imayo Tsukasa Artesian Water Junmai Sake 720mL

Imayo Tsukasa Artesian Water Junmai Sake is brewed with water drawn from Suganadake Mountain in Niigata, the region that produces nearly one-sixth of Japan's sake and claims the country's highest concentration of active breweries. The success of this bottling — light, clean, mineral-driven — led the Imayo Tsukasa brewery to adopt the same artesian source for every product in its lineup. The water is trucked directly to the kura, a logistical commitment that underscores the primacy of terroir in Niigata's sake-making tradition. Imayo Tsukasa has brewed in Niigata since 1767, working with locally grown rice and the soft, low-mineral snowmelt that defines the region's water profile. Suganadake Mountain's artesian aquifer filters through volcanic and sedimentary rock, lending the water a faint minerality that carries into the finished sake without masking the rice's natural sweetness. This junmai style is brewed without added alcohol, relying entirely on rice, water, koji mold, and yeast. The result is a clean, savory expression that foregrounds the quality of its raw materials rather than heavy polishing or fortification. The flavor opens with green melon and fresh hay, followed by earthy mineral tones that echo the water's geologic path. The texture is crisp and light, with a dry finish that refreshes rather than lingers. This is sake built for the table — pair it chilled with grilled fish, sushi, oysters, or light vegetable dishes. It also works as an aperitif, especially in warmer months when you want something clean and thirst-quenching. Serve it at 45–50°F to preserve the bright fruit and mineral clarity. Imayo Tsukasa Artesian Water Junmai Sake is available at Off Premise Chicago in Lincoln Park for pickup at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.