Norman 
Chiyo shuzou
Shinomine Yamadanishiki Extra Dry Unfiltered Undiluted Unpasteurized Junmai 2025
Shinshu Kamerei (篠峯 / Shinomine)
• Brewery: Miwa Shuzo, Nara
• Style: Often Junmai Ginjo or Junmai Daiginjo, tends toward yamahai-style or richer brews depending on bottling.
• Profile: Compared to the first two, this tends to lean earthy and structured. Expect layers of rice-driven umami, sometimes nutty or lactic, balanced with depth rather than flashiness. Depending on the exact bottling, it may have crisp dryness or a broad, savory weight. This was my favorite of the night. Was a bit austere and sharp but I found the others pretty sweet — 4 days ago
Kaze no Mori
Omachi Junmai Sake 2025
Kaze no Mori (“Wind in the Forest”)
• Brewery: Yucho Shuzo, Nara
• Style: Nama (unpasteurized), often Junmai or Junmai Ginjo
• Profile: Kaze no Mori is famous for being zippy, effervescent, and youthful. Expect a lightly sparkling sensation (微発泡), juicy fruit (pear, muscat grape), and bright acidity. Always unpasteurized, so it shows a raw, lively character. Was pretty sweet for me but a nice sake. — 4 days ago
Norman
Banshu Ikkon “Chō-kara” Junmai, i.e., “Super-Dry”
Brewery: 山陽盃酒造株式会社 (Sanyōhai Shuzō), Shisō, Hyōgo
Rice: 兵庫北錦 100% (Hyōgo Kitanishiki)
Polish: 60% remaining
SMV (nihonshu-do): +10 (very dry)
ABV: 15%
Volume: 720 ml
Bottled: 2025-06
Style notes from the back label: soft umami with clarity and a very crisp finish; versatile across temperatures.
What to expect in the glass
• Aromatics are restrained. Think steamed rice, faint grain, maybe a hint of dried apple rather than ginjō fruit.
• Palate is lean and highly dry with a quick, clean cut. The +10 SMV puts it on the bone-dry end of the spectrum.
• Body is light to mid. Not a plush or glycerol style. If served too cold it can read “thin” and a touch bitter on the back end.
It’s dry for sure. Crisp and on the edge of bitter/sharp. The body is light and mouthfeel borders on thin but better than those others I called thin, watery and bitter. I liked this. Not staying loved but it was good and did go went with food. Has a bit of a finish that I couldn’t quite place but is what gave it the bitterness. It’s not one that just disappears. — 10 hours ago