Dassai 23 Elegantly Tipsy Bisui (獺祭 純米大吟醸 磨き二割三分 美酔)

For Asahi Shuzo, brewing a "low-alcohol sake with perfect taste and aroma" was a massive wall they couldn't overcome for 20 years. Simply adding water (dilution) to regular sake (15-16% ABV) to lower the alcohol content inevitably caused the aroma to scatter and the taste to become watery. To break through this limit, they controlled the temperature and water addition in the early stages of fermentation even more delicately than when brewing their ultra-premium 'Dassai Beyond'. As a result, they completed 'Elegantly Tipsy'—a miraculous sake that stays at a final ABV of 11% despite being an undiluted Genshu with not a single drop of water added after pressing. According to the evaluations of global sommeliers, the charm of this sake lies in the "sublime elegance that blooms in the space where the pressure of alcohol has completely vanished." When poured, the clear and dignified aromas of ripe cantaloupe, La France pear, and white peach fill the space. Upon taking a sip, thanks to the low 11% ABV, a feather-light and smooth texture coats the tongue. Yet, because it is undiluted, the dense umami unique to Yamada Nishiki polished to 23% and the honey-like sweetness approach clearly without falling apart in the slightest. It is an innovative masterpiece that allows even those burdened by high alcohol content to fully enjoy a "mild and elegant tipsiness," exactly as its name suggests.

1. Seafood Capellini Cold Pasta with Dried Mullet Roe (Karasumi): The feather-light body of 11% ABV and the bright aroma of La France pear act as a perfect white wine when paired with olive oil-based Western seafood dishes. In particular, the clear and cool sweetness elegantly embraces the salty and rich flavor of the dried mullet roe, fantastically balancing the palate. 2. Gouda Cheese or Fondant Chocolat: This is one of the pairings officially suggested by the Dassai global team. Because there is almost no alcohol kick and the density of sweetness and umami is high, it does not clash with the funkiness of aged cheese or the bittersweetness of dark chocolate, affectionately blending together like a dessert wine.