Oishii Sake Appoints Beverage Industry Veteran Rudy Ruiz to Its Board

Former Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits executive and Bacardi USA President and CEO brings decades of brand-building and distribution experience as Oishii expands across sake, RTDs and liqueurs

MIAMI, FLA. - [NOVEMBER 10, 2026] – Oishii Sake today announced the appointment of Rudy Ruiz to its board, adding more than four decades of beverage alcohol experience as the company builds its presence across retail and hospitality channels. Ruiz’s background spans senior leadership at Bacardi and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, with experience on both the supplier and distributor sides of the business.

Ruiz spent 17 years at Southern Glazer’s, most recently as Executive Vice President of Emerging Spirits Brands, where he was responsible for developing and growing the company’s craft spirits and emerging brands portfolio. Previously, he spent nearly 25 years at Bacardi, serving in roles including President and CEO of Bacardi USA, President of Bacardi Global Brands, and President and CEO of Bacardi Asia/Pacific.

“Rudy understands what it takes to turn a promising product into a business that performs for distributors, retailers and hospitality partners,” said Buzzy Sklar, Founder and CEO of Kintsugi Sake LLC, the company behind Oishii Sake. “As we build Oishii across sake, ready-to-drink cocktails and liqueurs, his perspective will be invaluable in helping us make disciplined decisions about where and how we grow. We’re excited to welcome him to the board.”

Through his board role, Ruiz will bring decades of industry knowledge, resources and relationships to support Oishii’s continued development. His experience evaluating emerging brands and developing their route to market adds a seasoned perspective as the company grows its portfolio.

“What interests me about Oishii is the opportunity to introduce sake and sake-inspired beverages to consumers through new formats and occasions. Buzzy and the team are challenging traditional expectations within the beverage alcohol category by creating innovative, better-for-you alternatives that align with how today's consumers are looking to drink. From all-natural liqueurs made with just four ingredients to the first spiked matcha latte RTD on the market, Oishii is bringing something genuinely different to the category. I look forward to bringing my experience to the board and helping the team translate that innovation into sustained commercial growth.”

Oishii’s portfolio includes Clear and Cloudy Junmai sake, Oishii Sake Spritz ready-to-drink cocktails, the Spiked Matcha Latte RTD, Oishii Matcha Liqueur and Oishii Lychee Liqueur, alongside the luxury Kintsugi Sake expression. The Spiked Matcha Latte, the first of its kind on the market, is made with all-natural ingredients and ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha, bringing a new twist to the ready-to-drink category. Oishii Matcha Liqueur is also made with ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha and a rice milk base.

About Oishii Sake

Oishii Sake is proudly brewed in the U.S. using centuries-old Japanese traditions. Thoughtfully crafted with just four ingredients including Hot Springs Mountain water and single-origin rice grown in America, Oishii delivers a clean, crisp taste with no artificial additives. Its portfolio includes the highly anticipated Oishii Matcha Liqueur, Oishii Clear Junmai, Cloudy Junmai, the luxury Kintsugi Sake, and the Oishii Sake Spritz — the first all-natural ready-to-drink sake cocktail in the U.S. Sweetened with Monk Fruit In The Raw® and offered in refreshing flavors, Oishii Sake Spritz embodies The Better For You Cocktail™ ethos, offering a modern, wellness-minded twist on traditional sake.