Major Distribution Milestone for U.S. Sake Producer

Oishii Sake, the largest American-owned sake brewery in the U.S., has secured a national distribution agreement with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, effective June 2026. The partnership provides immediate access to premium on-premise and off-premise accounts across 11 states, plus placement in cruise lines, duty-free shops, and markets throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Southern Glazer's Travel Retail division.

Expanded Portfolio Roll-Out The agreement covers Oishii's full portfolio, including its core Junmai offerings, luxury Kintsugi expression, Sake Spritz ready-to-drink line, and a new Matcha Liqueur debuting mid-June.

Initial distribution will target Ohio, Missouri, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Arkansas.

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New Product: Matcha Liqueur Oishii is launching a shelf-stable Matcha Liqueur (750ml, $24.99, 15% ABV) crafted with ceremonial Japanese matcha and real cream from a Wisconsin dairy. The product requires no refrigeration after opening.

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Existing Portfolio Sake Spritz RTD Cans ($19.99 for 4-pack; $25.00 variety pack; 6% ABV)

- Marketed as the first all-natural canned sake cocktail in the U.S.

- Gluten-free, zero added sugar, naturally sweetened with Monk Fruit In The Raw

- Four flavors: Mango Yuzu, Lychee Lemon, Coconut Lemongrass, Watermelon Lime

Core Junmai (750ml and 375ml formats)

- Clear & Cloudy expressions at $29.99 and $18.99 respectively

- No sulfates or artificial additives

Kintsugi Sake ($149.99)

- Small-batch luxury expression for collectors

Company Perspective "Our partnership with Southern Glazer's marks a pivotal shift for Oishii as we solidify our position as an innovative adult beverage company," says Buzzy Sklar, CEO of Kintsugi Sake LLC. "By leveraging the best distribution network in the country, we are bringing our sake-based, better-for-you cocktails to national chain accounts both on premise and off-premise and premium venues across the U.S., as well as global travelers. We aren't just making sake; we are modernizing how the American consumer experiences a clean, sophisticated, and wellness-minded drink."

About the Distributor Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is the world's largest distributor of beverage alcohol, serving thousands of retail and on-premise accounts nationwide.

Why It Matters

For operators, the Oishii-Southern Glazer's partnership signals expanded availability of a domestically produced sake line positioned in the growing better-for-you category. The addition of RTD and matcha formats broadens appeal beyond traditional sake drinkers to cocktail and wellness-focused consumers—a trend operators are increasingly capitalizing on. National distribution through a top-tier distributor typically indicates strong pipeline support and shelf stability.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors