Review: Oishii Sake – Clear and Cloudy

We’ve brought you coverage of sake from Arkansas. Up next is Virginia, where Oishii (“delicious” in Japanese) produces two varieties of sake (along with some new ready-to-drink offerings based on sake). While the operation uses Virginia water, it surprisingly also uses Arkansas-grown rice. Packaged in spirit-like bottles and clearly designed with low abv cocktail-making in mind, we tasted both varieties and offer some thoughts.

Prices for 750ml bottles are shown. Half-bottles and cans are also available.

Oishii Clear Junmai Sake – Made from 70% polished Titan rice, filtered. The nose is authentic and refreshing, showcasing clean honeydew melon notes and a sprinkle of salt, with just the lightest touch of soy-driven umami underneath. Refreshing on the palate, it’s very clean with notes of fresh linens, jasmine, and sustained melon notes. Again there’s a light note of soy on the finish, but it’s altogether pleasant and complementary, an engaging and approachable sake. B+ / $30

Oishii Cloudy Junmai Sake – Also 70% polished Titan rice, but unfiltered in the nigori style. A surprisingly bold umami element here dominates the experience with a brooding, soy-adjacent quality that tempers the underlying notes of honeydew and brown banana with flavors that run to rye bread and wet mushroom. Rounded and mouth-filling in body, it’s slightly salty on the finish with a reprise of soy and a slightly gummy consistency that clings to the sides of the mouth. It’s almost weedy at times, making it miss out on a much-needed, cleansing fade-out. B- / $30

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