Mureduru Shuzo (牟礼鶴酒造合資会社)
Mureduru Shuzo is a small, family-run shochu distillery in Asaji, Bungo-Ono, Oita. It makes barley shochu under the Muredzuru name, using the process of its former sake brewery. It was founded in 1904.
What kind of distillery is Mureduru Shuzo?
In 1904 the first-generation Tamaki Mori, drawn to the local water, began making sake under the Muredzuru name. As sake brewing grew difficult, a movement in 1980 to make Oita a barley shochu region led the fourth generation to convert to a shochu distillery. With no heir, his nephew Kentaro Mori left office work to train, and in 2009 he became the owner and toji. He began making Oita barley shochu under the old sake brand name.
- Ingredients
- Uses Toyonohoshi, a new barley variety grown in Oita.
- Water
- Uses water that springs up locally at the distillery.
- Style
- Inherited a former sake brewery and makes shochu using the sake-making process.
- Master brewer
- The owner and toji is the fifth generation, Kentaro Mori.
Can you visit Mureduru Shuzo?
- Tours
Brewery visits and tastings require a prior phone call, as the family often is away on weekends. A rice ball and brewery tour runs year-round by arrangement, for 2 to 6 people, from 8,000 yen per person, about 2 hours.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: 6026.jp