Dassai 45 Sake 1.8L

If you want one sake that can convert a wine drinker and still impress your sake-obsessed friend, this is the move. It’s a junmai daiginjo from Yamaguchi, Japan, and it’s all about polished, fruit-forward flavour with a clean, tidy finish.

What makes it special is the way it walks the line between playful and precise. You get the kind of bright fruit and gentle floral character you’d expect from aromatic white wine, but with that distinct sake silkiness that feels lighter on its feet than most wines.

• Nose: Fresh pear, honeydew melon, white flowers, and a hint of steamed rice sweetness.
• Taste: Juicy melon and ripe apple up front, then a soft, rounded texture that stays clean and focused, not sugary.
• Finish: Crisp and lightly dry, with fruit fading into a neat, refreshing snap.

This is the bottle you pull out when the table has mixed tastes. White wine people love the fruity lift. Sake fans love the balance and precision. And if you’re into food, it’s a cheat code with sushi, grilled seafood, salty snacks, and anything with a little soy, ginger, or citrus in the mix.

It also earns its hype because it doesn’t lean on loud boozy heat or heavy sweetness. It’s bright and expressive, then it gets out of the way, which is exactly why it works so well across a night of drinking and eating.

If you’ve been curious about sake but worried it might taste flat or overly “ricey”, this one is a friendly on-ramp. Fruity, clean, and ridiculously drinkable without feeling boring.

Fun Fact: The “45” on the label points to how much the rice is polished down, leaving 45% of the grain, which is a big reason it tastes so pure and fruit-driven.