Dassai is a renowned sake brand produced by the Asahi Shuzo Brewery in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Founded in 1948, the brewery specializes in producing high-quality Ginjo sake, brewed from specially polished rice and pure spring water. Dassai means "otter festival" and refers to an ancient tradition in the region in which otters would spread their caught fish along the riverbank as if celebrating a feast. The brewery aims to convey a similar sense of joy and abundance with its sake. Dassai is known for its elegant, fruity, and refined flavor, appreciated by both connoisseurs and novices.
Dassai offers several varieties of sake, such as Dassai 23, Dassai 39, and Dassai 45, which differ in their degree of polishing. The lower the degree of polishing, the higher the quality and price of the sake. Dassai is also the first sake brewery to use a centrifuge to separate the sake from the solids instead of pressing it. This results in a clearer and more aromatic sake. Dassai is popular not only in Japan but also internationally and has even been served by former US President Barack Obama and former French President François Hollande at their state banquets.
