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AWARD : SHOCHU

In an Age of “Clean and Crisp,” Deliberately Unfiltered

Toyonaga Shuzo’s “Mugishiru” from Kuma Wins Double Awards in France and Japan The contemporary landscape of barley shochu is largely defined by a pursuit of the “clean and crisp.” A light, approachable profile where complexities are filtered away has come to be seen as the modern ideal.Yet, there exists a barley shochu that consciously navigates […]

AWARD : SHOCHU

Spring Water from the Kirishima Mountains and a Century of Earthenware Pots

Akarui Nōson” by Kirishima Town Distillery The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) is one of the world’s largest and most respected spirits competitions, where dozens of professional judges conduct blind tastings and score entries each year. In 2018, the Double Gold—awarded only by unanimous gold ratings from the panel—was granted to “Akarui Nōson,” a […]

AWARD : SHOCHU

Barley Unearthed from Kuma’s Soil

Toyonaga Shuzo’s Mugishiru and Its Four-Time Kura Master Gold Legacy Most modern barley shochu aims for one thing: refinement. Cleaner aromatics, lighter texture, polished smoothness. But one bottle stands in direct opposition to that philosophy. From Toyonaga Shuzo in Yunomae, Kumamoto, comes Mugishiru, a barley shochu built not on subtraction, but on depth, weight, and the […]

AWARD : SHOCHU

At TWSC 2026, Two SHOCHU REPUBLIC Labels Win Awards

At the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) 2026, two labels from the export-only brand SHOCHU REPUBLIC earned awards in the shochu and awamori category. The sweet potato shochu Sweet Potato Robin received the Superior Gold Award, while the barley shochu Barley Bunny took home a Silver Award.

AWARD : OTHER

SUGAWARA SUIKYO Port Wine Finish

SUGAWARA SUIKYO Port Wine Finish is a rich, woody aroma where the opulent, fatty character reminiscent of mature cognac-cask influence melds with sweet, estery notes. Enjoy Kouji whisky at Bacchus Global in Thailand. 菅原水鏡ポートワインカスクフィニッシュ（40度）は、ポート樽由来の赤ワインやブドウ、レーズンを思わせる甘やかな香りに、オークのウッディさとスパイスが重なるリッチな印象。タイの愛好家に向けた豊かな風味をバッカスグローバルでお楽しみください。

AWARD : OTHER

SUGAWARA SUIKYO Cognac Cask Finish

SUGAWARA SUIKYO Cognac Cask Finish is a rA rich, woody aroma where the opulent, fatty character reminiscent of mature cognac-cask influence melds with sweet, estery notes. Enjoy Kouji whisky at Bacchus Global in Thailand. 菅原水鏡コニャックマーテルカスクフィニッシュ（40度）は、コニャック樽由来の熟した脂身を思わせるこってりしたファティーさと、エステリーな甘い香りが溶け合い、リッチでウッディなアロマ。タイの愛好家に向けた豊かな風味をバッカスグローバルでお楽しみください。

AWARD : OTHER

SUGAWARA SUIKYO Oloroso Butt Finish

SUGAWARA SUIKYO Oloroso Butt Finish is a rare rice shochu aged seven years in virgin sherry casks and bottled with a touch of dietary fiber. It pours a deep amber hue and opens with rich aromas of vanilla and dried fruit. On the palate, silky-smooth rice sweetness and nutty richness meld harmoniously, followed by a long, gently spiced finish. Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to fully appreciate its layered complexity. Enjoy this award-winning sake at Bacchus Global in Thailand. 菅原水鏡オロロソシェリーバットフィニッシュ（40度）は、菅原水鏡が自社製造の米焼酎原酒をヴァージンシェリー樽で7年熟成後、食物繊維を加えて瓶詰めした逸品でございます。深い琥珀色のグラスから立ち上るバニラやドライフルーツの芳香、滑らかな口当たりに米由来のまろやかな甘味とナッツのようなコクが調和いたします。余韻にはほのかなスパイスが長く続き、ストレートやロックでお愉しみいただけます。タイの愛好家に向けた豊かな風味をバッカスグローバルでお楽しみください。

AWARD : SHOCHU

SENNEN NO HIBIKI

A long-aged awamori series from Nakijin, made from Thai rice and black koji.

AWARD : SHOCHU

NOMA NOMA Mugi

A 25% honkaku barley shochu released by Shirakane Distillery in 2024.

AWARD : SHOCHU

Close up to TWSC 2024

What Makes It Japan’s Most Prestigious Spirits Competition? The Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits Competition (TWSC 2024) is the only spirits competition in Japan and will be held for the sixth time this year. The competition is one of the largest of scale in Asia and is divided into the Western Spirits and Shochu categories, with […]

AWARD : SHOCHU

GOKUJO TSUTSUMI

A single-cask, Oloroso-sherry-cask-aged rice spirit from Kuma, Kumamoto.

AWARD : SHOCHU

DAIYAME 40

A 40% aromatic honkaku imo shochu