SakéOne Unveils Two New Canned Saké Products – Yomi and Momokawa

Nestled out on the edge of Oregon’s wine country is SakéOne, one the earliest sake producers in America along with being an importer of fine Japanese sake. Today the sake maker announced the release of its inaugural Oregon-brewed canned saké, Yomi and Momokawa.

The two new cans of saké’ will be available in 250mL slim sized cans and will first be available next month in Oregon, Washington and California with additional expansion later this year. These two products will join SakéOne’s premium Oregon Craft saké portfolio alongside bottles of g, Momokawa, and Moonstone.

Just as in beer, cider and wine, canned product is increasing in market share and SakéOne sees tremendous sales and marketing opportunities with this new lightweight package format. The 250mL recyclable aluminum slim cans have a pop-top lid and eye-catching designs meant to grab consumers’ attention on the retail shelf.

Here are additional details on the two new cans of saké.

Yomi is a new concept created by SakéOne specifically for canned saké. It is wrapped with a white label featuring a striking image of a Japanese mask inspired by mythology and brought to life by a local Portland designer originally from the Aomori Prefecture of Japan. According to Shinto mythology, Yomi means “World of Darkness” or “an Afterlife” where one goes after death. This story inspired the company to create a saké meant to be consumed in our daily “world of darkness” at the end of each day.

The Momokawa offering represents the newest line extension from SakéOne’s pioneering flagship brand. Created by in-house designers, the design features a white canvas with stylized blue accents inspired by an avant-garde form of calligraphy known as zeneisho and the abstract expressionist style of Jackson Pollock.

“While both offerings feature eye-catching art on the outside, the true art is on the inside” said President and CEO Steve Vuylsteke. “Brewmaster Takumi Kuwabara and his team have been working tirelessly to craft the ideal style for each of our new canned sakés. Our hope is that the convenient, eye-catching cans appeal to both newcomers and devoted saké drinkers. We wanted to create something new, different and approachable in a format with which consumers are already very comfortable.”

Both Yomi and Momokawa are Junmai Ginjo, or super premium level saké made with no distilled alcohol added. They are crafted using premium Sacramento Valley rice milled to 58% of its original size. Removing the outer impurities of the rice grain and focusing on the ideal starch found within each grain results in clean, fruity and floral aromatics. Pristine, abundant Willamette Valley water utilized in the production process is essential to revealing and retaining fruity “ginjo” characteristics. Both products are sulfite-free, gluten-free, vegan and kosher.

Yomi is fruity, refreshing and subtly sweet. It features light notes of red berries, cherry, guava, and mochi with hints of tropical fruit, melon, and grapes. It has an ABV of 13% and pairs with light and medium flavored foods like sushi, street tacos and poke bowls.  

Momokawa is a medium-dry saké with a balance of soft water notes and flavors of apple and pear, with melon and mild anise on the nose. It is fuller-bodied and made in a slightly drier, more traditional style than Yomi. It has an ABV of 14% and displays the hallmark aromas and flavors fans of Momokawa saké will recognize immediately. Pair it with medium and full-flavored foods like burgers, pizza, spicy Mexican food and hot dogs.