Have you ever heard of sake called "Dassai"?

Have you ever heard of sake called "Dassai"?

It is popular among women for its fruity taste, and has even created a big trend as "the sake you want to drink in a wine glass". Many people say that their image of sake has changed and  they have come to like sake after drinking Dassai. So we can say that Dassai is the one recommended for sake beginners especially.

In this article, we would like to introduce you to some of the stores that sell Dassai and several popular products. This article will help you learn about what makes Dassai so special!

 

How to read "Dassai"? Where is this sake made?

The kanji for Dassai is difficult to read. "Da" of Dassai in Kanji represents the animal otter, and "sai" of Dassai in Kanji represents a festival. The word "Dassai" means that the way the otter lays out the fish it catches on the shore looks like a festival. Also it turned to have another meaning, which is "to spread out a lot of references when composing a poem or a sentence". It shows the desire to create better sake through study after study.

 

Where is Dassai made?

The Asahi Shuzo brewery, which produces Dassai, is located in Osogoe Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture which is western part of Japan. It is a small town surrounded by mountains and rich in nature with a river running in front of the brewery. The name "Osogoe" is said to come from a story about an otter that once chased a child to the village after it had been bewitched.

 

Where can I buy Dassai?

You can buy Dassai in all prefectures in Japan except Akita, Niigata, and Mie. In addition to liquor stores, it is sold at department stores and major supermarkets too.

Department stores where you can buy Dassai

Mitsukoshi, Matsuzakaya, Daimaru, Takashimaya, Isetan, Tokyu, Keio, Odakyu, Tobu, Seibu, Hankyu, Hanshin, etc.

Major supermarkets where you can buy Dassai

Seijo Ishii, Meidi-ya, Kinokuniya, Keio Store, etc.

How to buy Dassai aside from stores above

Check the official website to see if there is a store in your area that carries the product! Dassai retail stores page

If there is no store near you, don't worry. Dassai also have an official website: Dassai Official WEB Store

 

Brewing Characteristics and special parts of Dassai

We introduce the characteristics and commitment of Asahi Shuzo, that is the brewery produces Dassai.

- It has been made by a team, not relying on single chief brewer

- Even in mass production, it is made by using human hands with the five senses, not by machines.

Let us explain one by one.

It has been made by a team, not relying on single chief brewer

Usually, sake brewing is done by single chief brewer and a master brewer, but Asahi Shuzo makes Dassai with all their employees as a brewing team. This may sound a lack of training for making sake, but at Asahi Shuzo, they are trained and got necessary skills for making Dassai only. This is why they are able to train lots of young but talented staff members. After gaining experience and becoming expert, they start to be involved in "koji making", which is the key for sake brewing.

Even in mass production, it is made by using human hands with the five senses, not by machines.

Dassai are a popular product and there are many varieties, so it is necessary to continue mass production. However, Asahi Shuzo does not use machines. It is because the knowledge and skills of expert staff are indispensable to produce high quality products.

 

What is Dassai Sparkling?

The Dassai Sparkling series is now getting new attention. Usually the purpose of adding carbonation to sake is to make it easier to drink and to improve the thirst-quenching effect. However, Dassai is originally a fruity Junmai Daiginjo which is already easy to drink and slide down one's throat. So it shows their will to make good sake even better and tastier. Here we introduce Dassai Sparkling and some of most popular Dassai products!

Dassai Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling 45

Dassai are known for their beautiful and clear sake but this is a sparkling nigori sake, which means cloudy sake. This is a new product, bottled only from "moromi" which means the fermentation mash of a product called Junmai Daiginjo 45. It has a gorgeous aroma, and the sweetness of nigori sake that is matched with the freshness of carbonation.

 

Are there any products only available at the head office?

Actually, Asahi Shuzo has its own adjoining direct sales store. Instagram: Dassai Store Honsha Kura official

Let us introduce you to some products that you can only buy here!

 

Dassai Junmai Daiginjo Polishing 20% Sanbu [Hisasugi Bridge completion memorial label]

This product was released to commemorate the completion in 2022 of the restoration of the Hisasugi Bridge, a bridge in front of the Dassai Store that was damaged in the torrential rainstorm in western Japan 4 years ago.

Dassai Junmai Daiginjo Polishing 20% Sanbun [Limited edition in each prefecture]

This sake is made from 100% Yamadanishiki, a rice suitable for sake brewing, and is sold exclusively within that prefecture outside of the Dassai Store. Some were produced in Fukuoka and Okayama prefectures, also in the past, some were produced in Niigata prefecture.

In addition to the above, seasonal and regional products may also be available at Dassai Store. So if you're ever in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by!

 

3 popular recommended Dassai

1. Dassai Junmai Daiginjo Migaki Niwari sanbu (niwari sanbu means the rice polished down to 23 %)

This is one of the symbol brand of Dassai, and it sparked the Dassai trend. The product name of Dassai includes a percentage, "23%," which indicates the ratio of polished rice. The lower the ratio, the more tasty and less tangy the sake is. The clear and gorgeous flavor is exactly the kind of sake you want to drink in a glass of wine. Recommended for women and sake beginners.

2. Dassai Polishing and Beyond

This is the best Dassai product pursuing the highest level of "Niwari Sanbu" (the rice polished down to 23 %) at the moment. Although the price is expensive than other Dassai products, you can see the difference when you compare it with others. We recommend this bottle to those who are used to drinking Niwari Sanbu. 

3. Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 45

For those who want to enjoy Junmai Daiginjo more casually, this is one of the most reasonable bottles of Dassai. Junmai Daiginjos are those with a milling ratio of 50% or less, but this one is made from Yamadanishiki polished to 45%. Recommended for first-time Dassai drinkers.

 

Dassai are available at stores nationwide. Let's enjoy delicious sake!

In this article, we introduced head office of Dassai company and stores where you can buy Dassai, as well as Dassai Sparkling and other popular products. In addition to the products introduced here,there are also seasonal sake and a more refined series of sake using the centrifugal separation technique. Please take a look at them and compare them. They will surely change your image of sake.

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