Koji Rice Series 1

MURI describes Koji Rice Series 1 as a silky, light cuvée of koji-fermented rice wine, mahleb, and beechwood-smoked lavender water kefir, kept unfiltered. It is made by growing koji on rice, fermenting with a cultivated yeast, infusing it with mahleb, and blending with a lavender kefir smoked over beechwood.^{[1],[2],[3],[4]}

Beechwood-Smoked Lavender Water Kefir — Finish. The blend is finished with a smoked lavender kefir, in which the lavender is smoked over beechwood before being used to perfume the blend. Per the producer, the lactic flavors of the kefir complement the rice base while the lavender adds heady, floral perfume notes.^[5]

MURI keeps the drink unfiltered, which the producer states is done to accentuate its mouthfeel.^[2]

Nose. MURI describes the blend as earthy and floral, with heady perfume notes from the lavender and a spiced touch of mahleb. On the aromatic side it is noted to carry hints of winter melon and enoki mushrooms.^[1],[5],[6]

MURI recommends Koji Rice Series 1 with crunchy Thai salads, rich creamy desserts, gelato, and Basque cheesecake.^[1]

Production. The blend is made unfiltered through koji fermentation, infused with mahleb, blended with lavender kefir, and gently smoked over beechwood, per MURI. It sits within MURI's singles lineup alongside Passing Clouds, Fade To Black, MURI x The Four Horsemen, Yamilé, Sherbet Daydream, and Uzume.^[4]

As of January 2025, Koji Rice Series 1 was featured on the by-the-glass list at Silo restaurant. It has also appeared as an ingredient in a cocktail called 'Banana Split,' built with homemade banana spirit, cold brew coffee, MURI Koji Rice Series 1, and MURI Passing Clouds.^[4]