February 7, 2024 - Clear with slight amber hue. Fresh, light, balanced and dry. A smooth, mood-lifting sake for haute omakase sushi.
September 11, 2023 - Dassai Sake Masterclass (Praelum Wine Bistro): Colourless and bright. Aromas with a cool minty, even mineral start, then the slight melon sweetness, then chestnuts. Medium light body, but very intense in flavours, whilst silky mouthfeel, with some rose and lavender, chestnuts, then even a bit of chives and then nutmeg. It is nevertheless very enjoyable, but there seems to have quite a strong spicy umami hint which seems to be low quality in the books... hmm
July 26, 2023 - One of the best sake I ever had
May 4, 2023 - From 300mL dated 2022.04
Lush full daiginjo. Much fuller bodied than expected
White grape, white flower and honeysuckle flavors
A nice easy intro to more highly polished daiginjos
February 1, 2023 - There's no other sake that has ever made me say "absolutely perfect". It's absurd how light and smooth this sake is. The subtle taste has very little of the classic rice wine notes, but lingers for quite a bit after taking a sip. Best served slightly chilled.
October 7, 2022 - We missed International Sake day on Oct 1st, but we did sushi and sake on the 7th. Drank a bottle of Nobu's YK35 and this Dassai 23 side by side, both made from Yamada Nishiki rice.
We opened a 1.8 liter (Sho) bottle of Dassai 23, part of its name derived from the YK rice being polished down to just 23% of the original grain size. Presented as a gift by Japan's late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to President Obama in 2014, this sake rocks. The nose is very similar to the Nobu yk35, very floral, not much difference there. The flavour is much rounder and smoother with flavours of honey and melon, finish is long and elegant. Given that it's about 20/bottle cheaper than the Nobu yk35, and everyone we were drinking with preferred the dassai 23, this is definitely the winner of the two.
May 28, 2022 - Rich mango, papaya, banana, vanilla, pineapple, angel food, white flowers; a real luxury treat, riper and richer than Konteki JDG, but surprisingly higher SMV; this is really aromatic, lovely, creamy, like drinking pure steamed rice and concentrated white flowers and white fruits. +4 SMV, 23% SB, Yamaguchi. W/S&L
July 6, 2021 - Flamboyant tutti fruity flavors, heat definitely present. This is a bigger than usual daiginjo and very delicious. Definitely not subtle. A wine to impress those who think sake is only served hot.
It does come off rather sweet.
January 26, 2020 - Definitely a sake to impress with its smooth and elegant almost creamy profile. Always delivers and went very well with a variety of foods but really the elegance and in a way lightness of it is unique for its price range. would have been a 93 if we rated sake/spirits etc
October 26, 2019 - Bottled in March 2019. Drank with Michelle shortly after arriving back from a few weeks in Japan.
Almost as good as I remember it from a fond memory at Hayato. Very Riesling-like. Tons of peach, white fruit, and slight licorice aromas with a similar and rich flavor profile. Nicely balanced and oh so delicious.