Norman

9.8

Name: 鍋島 大吟醸（Nabeshima Daiginjo） 
• Sake type: Daiginjo（大吟醸, highly polished; typically includes a small addition of distilled alcohol
• Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo, Grade A / specially designated) 
• Polish ratio: 35% 
• ABV: 17% 
• SMV: +5 (dry-leaning) 
• Acidity: 1.7 
• Brewery: 富久千代酒造 (Fukuchiyo Shuzo)
• Prefecture: Saga 
• Award note: cited as IWC Trophy Champion / flagship in at least one detailed retailer profile 
• Bottling date + lot: 2025.10, LOT 5732

This is built like a flagship Daiginjo: precision polish (35%), dry-leaning structure (SMV +5), and higher ABV that gives it torque and length rather than airy fade. The common lane is melon and tropical fruit on the nose, then a palate that feels tight, glossy, and more structured than most fruity Daiginjo, finishing clean but not thin.
Had this one again. Pricing was very fair compared to retail. This was my favorite of the two - it is silky smooth with a bit of weight on the palate. Aromatics are there and it doesn’t read sweet on the nose or flavor. Little bit of melon and super balanced. This is a great bottle and its freshness shines though it. Really like. — 8 days ago

Louis Martin

9.3

Fresh, crisp, smooth and refreshing, citrus flavors, fruity sweet finish. — 2 months ago

Norman

9.3

Jikon Tokubetsu 60% polish 2025-05 light, crisp, clean. Very nice. — 4 months ago

Norman

9.1

It’s Hawaii. Drink it when you can. — 12 days ago

Jordyn Dinwiddie

9.0

So crisp, tiny bubbles. — 14 days ago

Rob van Kalmthout

9.2

First time I really liked a sake. Paired with ceviche with basil and small sprouts. Loved the plummy smell with a distant sweetness — 4 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Chih winegeeks valle de los encinos — 4 months ago

Norman

9.1

Always nice but you can tell the difference from the 3yr and the 8yr. — 12 days ago

Norman

9.3

Delightful — 12 days ago

Norman

10

Hibiki Highball from the master at the Apollo. Been two years since I’ve been here but it felt like yesterday. Literally nothing has changed. Must stop if you are in Tokyo. Feel free to go to the bar Milo next door and have a drink of the “Mr Norm” bottle that I had to buy in order to get a drink. Keep in mind all of these places max out at 8 people. I kinda stressed them out coming in with eight but played the “remember me” card and picture from my iPhone ;) — 4 months ago