I actually think that Issai tastes the best. It is the self-fertile variety, but it is not nearly as productive as most of the other hardies or as the fuzzy. In general, I like the variety, because all of the hardies can pollinate the hardies and the fuzzies. I like the arctics, but it's a smaller plant so it doesn't produce as much. better if you have a small or fairly shady area, though.
My two cents,
John S
PDX OR

…my concern with “Issai” Hardy kiwi is the weak growth habit of the plant… Years ago I babied two for at least 4 years only to watch them die. It looked like a Pacific Flathead Borer finally ‘finished one off.’ I’ve heard the same complaint about Issai’s lack of vigor from a couple of other growers. In fact, as I stood looking at one in another ‘orchard,’ describing how their plant's lack of vigor mirrored those I'd grown, they smiled and said, “OK – it’s gone!”

Mine finally fruited, sparingly, but the fruit was very ‘tender.’ I don’t remember it ‘keeping’ or being impressed by its taste. What I do remember is never getting my fill! The only thing it has going for it is the ability to fruit without a male; but if ‘that’ was fruiting - it very much missed the mark.

I now have an “Anna” (Anastasia?) given to me by an Uncle who didn’t care for its flavor… I do! It’s likely going on 5 years old (2 with me) and fruited well last year. But it grew even better! On the same arbor as my two fuzzy kiwi, the fuzzy male apparently does the trick. In fact, this year's pruning had me delegating more and more space for the new Hardy Anna kiwi – and, it’s 2 year old clone several feet away growing up the 4th post.

I would never plant, recommend, or give away an Issai “un”-hardy kiwi and consider them an inbred novelty.

UPDATE:

Hey – I’ve been in the thick of it with my “Anna” Hardy Kiwi’s for the last few weeks. With likely three-thousand berries this year, I’ve just been fresh eating. I’ve heard Kiwi described as a “Super-fruit,” possessing numerous anti occidents and vitamin C. I have to agree, eating them releases the stored nutrients of Summer!

As mentioned, my Uncle, Father and a Brother feel they were sickened by the intensity of eating hardy kiwi -- which is why I have my Uncle’s plant… I’d never experienced this, but had never really got my share. Now I have! Raised on fruit (thanks Dad), I tend to gorge - and have with these hard kiwi. After a dozen or such feasts … I was back out there gobbling more this morning

They are delicious! Loaded with flavor, but fading. Some have cracked with moisture, (but very few); others have begun to drop; and others are somewhat shriveled, but sweet and eatable. A past friend tried drying them, but I never learned of the results… Freezing them to pop into-the-mouth in the heat of Summer might be a good idea. Otherwise, I can’t figure out what to do with them all..? Any suggestions?

As this is only my second crop, in three years, I highly recommend them. Keep in mind, they need a male pollen source – and though there are ‘Hardy male kiwi plants’ (though I don’t have one), my “Fuzzy” male kiwi did the trick! I’ve also a nice (if fewer in number) crop of Fuzzy kiwi this year – but I know how to deal with those. I’ve witnessed a lot of ‘exotic’ fruit pushed in my years with the HOS, mainly by catalog fruit growers, but both Hardy and Fuzzy Kiwi have proven themselves to me. Consistent, productive, easy to grow and loaded with nutrients… well, I’ll recommend them again

Dave,
If you come to the scion exchange, you can usually get a male hardy kiwi for free, after entrance fee of course.

Almost anyone you know who is growing it would probably also give you a cutting to grow.
John S
PDX OR