Eisen Tokubetsujunmaishu
To this land in search of water. Brewed with the famous waters of Bandai.
At the foot of Mt. Bandai, the famed peak of Aizu, stands the Bandai Factory of Eisen Shuzo, as if embraced on all sides by deep forests.
The fifth-generation head scoured the Aizu region and fell in love with the underground water of Mt. Bandai that springs forth here. In 1989, he relocated the brewery from Aizuwakamatsu City to this very land. Later, this water, as part of the "Bandai Nishisanroku Spring Water Group," was selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Waters. Eisen Shuzo is one of only a few breweries in the entire country to use this clear, celebrated water—chosen for the 100 Famous Waters—as its brewing water. The "pure and soft" flavor that defines Eisen Shuzo's sake may largely be attributed to this water.
While the large, forest-enclosed factory appears massive and modern, its brewing methods remain dedicated to the traditional handcrafting of the kurabito (brewers). "We believe it is essential to never forget our gratitude for this famous water, this land, and this environment, and to continue hand-crafting sake that relies on the five senses of our toji and kurabito. We are also tackling new styles of sake-based liqueurs, and from this land of Bandai, we want to transmit the quality of Eisen to the world.
We are aiming for an 'All Aizu' approach," states President Keiichi Narita. To "return to the origins" of local sake, they have increased contract cultivation with surrounding farmers for their raw rice. One of their key brands, "Junmaidaiginjo Eishiro," has earned acclaim as a sake brewed from "Miyamanishiki" rice grown in Bandai Town.
Eisen Shuzo