Kumesen Shuzo's First Single Malt Wins Superior Gold at TWSC 2026: A New Step for Okinawa-Origin Whisky

Kumesen Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 155 Nakaima, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture; Representative Director: Yoichi Higa) announced that its first malt whisky, "Naha Distillery Single Malt Newborn 2025," has won the Superior Gold award at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) 2026, one of Asia's largest alcohol beverage competitions judging whiskies and spirits from around the world.

In addition, a total of four products won Gold awards or higher at the same competition, highly evaluating Kumesen Shuzo's efforts in whisky and Awamori production.

Western Liquor Category Award Results Shochu/Awamori Category Award Results

Superior Gold: Naha Distillery Single Malt Newborn 2025 Gold: Okinawa ISLAND BLUE 8 Years Gold: OKINAWA ISLAND BLUE SINGLE MALT NEWBORN 2025 Cask Strength Gold: Okinawa ISLAND BLUE Awamori 50 Degrees

Details of TWSC 2026 Award-Winning Products

[Superior Gold] Naha Distillery Single Malt Newborn 2025 A new story born from the Naha Distillery Using carefully selected domestic malt as the ingredient, it employs moderately hard water from the Kakinohana Hija in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture, selected as one of the top 100 exquisite waters of Japan, for its preparation water. The company stuck to pure domestic production for both ingredients and water. The subtropical climate unique to Okinawa has the characteristic of accelerating maturation, but by using refill casks for this product, it gently matures over time while suppressing excessive cask aroma. It is finished with a freshness unique to a newborn and a taste that evokes future maturation. This product, which was sold in limited quantities, is currently sold out, but taking this award as an opportunity, it has become a symbolic bottle that raises expectations for the single malt series planned to be developed in the future. Product Name: Naha Distillery Single Malt Newborn 2025 Capacity: 200ml Category: Whisky Alcohol Content: 50%

[Gold] Okinawa ISLAND BLUE 8 Years 40 Degrees Individuality nurtured by a subtropical climate and sophisticated balance Product Name: Okinawa ISLAND BLUE 8 Years 40 Degrees Capacity: 700ml Category: Whisky Alcohol Content: 40%

[Gold] OKINAWA ISLAND BLUE SINGLE MALT NEWBORN 2025 Cask Strength The charm of the original spirit where strength and purity coexist Product Name: OKINAWA ISLAND BLUE SINGLE MALT NEWBORN 2025 Cask Strength Capacity: 700ml Category: Whisky Alcohol Content: 62%

[Gold] Okinawa ISLAND BLUE Awamori 50 Degrees A powerful drop where tradition and innovation fuse Product Name: Okinawa ISLAND BLUE Awamori 50 Degrees Capacity: 500ml Category: Awamori Alcohol Content: 50%

Comment from Representative Director Yoichi Higa "We are extremely honored that our first single malt whisky has won the Superior Gold award at one of Asia's largest alcohol beverage competitions. Leveraging the skills we have cultivated in our alcohol production so far, we have continued to take on the challenge of making whisky from Okinawa that is competitive in the world. Taking this award as a new start, we will continue to pursue alcohol production that utilizes the climate and natural features of Okinawa while disseminating the whisky culture originating from Okinawa."

About the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) As an international alcohol beverage competition originating in Japan, it is one of Asia's largest competitions that judges whiskies and spirits from around the world based on the delicate taste nurtured by Japanese culture.

About Kumesen Shuzo Kumesen Shuzo Co., Ltd. is a distillery founded in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture in 1952. With the motto of "A step ahead in alcohol production that creates a rich present and future," the company continues to constantly pursue innovation while protecting Awamori, the traditional distilled spirit of Okinawa. In addition, it operates five "OKINAWA BLUE" whisky shops in Okinawa and Tokyo, working to disseminate the whisky culture originating from Okinawa. Official Website: https://kumesen.co.jp/