The Sake Anatomy › Sake Brand Index › Nabeshima
No.15 · Brewery Profile
Nabeshima鍋島 · Fukuchiyo Shuzo 富久千代酒造
Fukuchiyo Shuzo in Kashima, Saga was a small Kyushu brewery until head brewer Naoki Iimori launched the Nabeshima label in 1998 with local retailers. In 2011 its Daiginjo was named Champion Sake at the International Wine Challenge, putting Kyushu sake on the world map.
Who makes Nabeshima?
Fukuchiyo Shuzo, a small Kyushu brewery in Kashima, Saga, founded around 1923. Head brewer Naoki Iimori launched the Nabeshima label in 1998 with local retailers, and in 2011 its Daiginjo was named Champion Sake at the International Wine Challenge, putting Kyushu sake on the world map.
What does Nabeshima taste like?
Tagged Aromatic & Fruity, the line runs juicy and fragrant: the Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki (the purple-label flagship) and the award-winning Daiginjo both hit 5/5 on the aromatic axis, the Tokubetsu Junmai brings in Saga-bred Saga no Hana rice for a juicier profile, Classic Omachi is the fullest-bodied at 4/5, and New Moon Junmai Ginjo is a fresh, lively shiboritate nama.
Which bottle should you try first?
Start with the Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki, called the purple-label flagship — juicy and fruity, milled to 50%.
How does Nabeshima compare to other Saga breweries?
Nabeshima shares its Aromatic & Fruity tag with its only prefecture-mate, Amabuki — the two breweries carry identical house style tags, making Saga a fairly unified aromatic, fruit-forward region.
Frequently asked questions
What award did Nabeshima’s Daiginjo win?
Champion Sake at the 2011 International Wine Challenge.
Who launched the Nabeshima label, and when?
Head brewer Naoki Iimori, in 1998, with local retailers.
How many bottles does Nabeshima make on this page?
Five — Tokubetsu Junmai, Daiginjo, Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki, Classic Omachi, and New Moon Junmai Ginjo.
The bottles
Tokubetsu Junmai特別純米
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“Uses Saga-bred Saga no Hana rice; juicy.”
Daiginjo大吟醸
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“The IWC 2011 Champion Sake.”
Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki純米吟醸 山田錦
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“The purple-label flagship; juicy and fruity.”
Classic Omachi特別純米 Classic 赤磐雄町
醇酒 Junshu · Rich“Akaiwa Omachi; deeper, rounder umami.”
New Moon Junmai GinjoNew Moon 三日月 純米吟醸
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“Fresh shiboritate nama; vivid and lively.”
Reading the bars: an editorial flavor reading (0–5) of each bottle — Dry→Rich, Light→Full, Subtle→Aromatic, Low→High acidity — not laboratory values. The colored badge is the SSI four-type classification (薫酒 Kunshu · 爽酒 Soshu · 醇酒 Junshu · 熟酒 Jukushu). SMV and acidity appear only where the brewery publishes them.
Sources: sakagura-tourism.com