Yuzu Cello scores 99 points at SFWSC 2026.
Hida Craft (Mori Roofing Co., Ltd. / Representative Director: Takanori Mori), a craft liqueur producer in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, has won the highest gold award (Gold Outstanding / 98 points each) for both "Yuzu Cello" and "Orange Cello" at the "IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competition) 2026," a prestigious global spirits competition held in London.
KEY FIGURES
Only five products worldwide received the Gold Outstanding award in the Liqueur (Citrus) category. Hida Craft is the sole company to win two of these awards. Japanese citrus liqueurs have achieved world-class recognition, standing alongside esteemed Italian limoncello maker Pallini (99 points).
Furthermore, "Yuzu Cello" also received the top award, Double Gold (99 points), at the US "SFWSC (San Francisco World Spirits Competition) 2026." Within just two years of its launch, it has attained the highest accolades from two major international competitions in the UK and the US.
Yuzu Cello Orange Cello
Key Highlights of the Awards (This Release in 3 Lines)
Two of the world's five Gold Outstanding awards for citrus liqueurs come from a single company in Hida.
"Yuzu Cello" receives 98 points for the second consecutive year, maintaining the brand's streak of Gold or higher awards for three years running.
The parent company is a 77-year-old roofing business. The third-generation owner launched this venture 3 years ago, progressing from an initial Bronze award to world-class recognition.
[Award Details] Two of the World's Five Products – Hida Craft is the Only One to Receive Multiple Top Awards
Only five products in the world received the Gold Outstanding award in the Liqueur (Citrus) category at IWSC 2026. Hida Craft secured two of these, making it the only producer to earn multiple Gold Outstanding awards in this category.
Yuzu Cello: Gold Outstanding, 98 points (Second consecutive year, same score as 2025)
Orange Cello: Gold Outstanding, 98 points (First entry in 2026, awarded in its debut year)
The consistent score of 98 points for "Yuzu Cello" for two consecutive years indicates that the evaluation is based on proven skill rather than a random fluctuation. As a brand, it has continued to achieve Gold or higher awards for three consecutive years, starting with a Gold award (95 points) for "LEMONIQ SWEET" in 2024.
Year
Competition
Product Name
Award
Score
2024
IWSC (UK)
LEMONIQ SWEET
Gold
95 points
2025
IWSC (UK)
Yuzu Cello
Gold Outstanding
98 points
2026
IWSC (UK)
Yuzu Cello
Orange Cello
Both Gold Outstanding
Both
98 points
2026
SFWSC (USA)
Yuzu Cello
Double Gold
99 points
[Story] From Rooftops to the World's Tables
Hida Craft's parent company is Mori Roofing Co., Ltd., a roofing contractor established in 1949. For three generations, the company has protected the roofs of the snow-heavy town of Takayama, Hida.
Takanori Mori, the third-generation owner, launched the brand in 2023 with the vision of creating a "second business from Hida that reaches the world," and sales began in 2024. This was a challenge undertaken from scratch, without a family history in sake brewing or ties to established breweries.
In its first attempt at the SFWSC, the evaluation was a Bronze award.
"It was frustrating. But knowing the gap between us and the world, quantified by the scores, was a valuable takeaway," Mori said.
Channeling that frustration into refining the production method, this year, in its third year, the company has achieved top-tier recognition at international competitions in the UK and the US.
The fruit processing is done meticulously by hand.
[Production Method] "Best of Both Worlds" Method – Italian Tradition Meets Japanese Sensibility
At the core of Hida Craft's success is its unique "Best of Both Worlds" production method.
This technique involves separately extracting the aroma from the citrus peel and the flavor from the juice, then combining them. It's a method that harmonizes the Italian tradition of emphasizing the peel's aroma with the Japanese sensibility of valuing the juice's umami within a single product.
The ingredients are carefully selected, with specific origins designated.
Yuzu Cello: Peel from Kochi Prefecture yuzu × Juice from Gifu Prefecture yuzu, combined through separate extraction
Orange Cello: Hiroshima Prefecture navel oranges used
Water: All products use spring water from Tanaka Highland in Hida City.
Production: In-house workshop in Takayama City.
The peels steeped in alcohol are peeled to an extreme thinness.
[Judges' Comments] How the World's Professionals Rated It (From IWSC 2026 Tasting Notes – Our Translation)
Yuzu Cello: Sharp, mouth-watering yuzu aroma rises. A rounded, oily citrus note is layered with deeper, more intense nuances. The zest and bright citrus flavors continue with a lively texture and solid body, leading to a fresh, perfectly balanced finish. A refreshing acidity lingers long.
Orange Cello: Bright and fresh. Aromas of freshly squeezed orange, pith, and peel abound. On the palate, the sweet, alcoholic character of the orange is enhanced by a lively bitterness and a subtle hint of orange blossom. A long, spicy, and slightly bitter peel finish persists.
[Representative's Comment] Takanori Mori (Representative Director, Hida Craft)
"Our first SFWSC resulted in a Bronze award. We channeled that frustration directly into our production methods, and this time, we've received recognition alongside world-class producers.
For both yuzu and oranges, these are fruits grown with passion by producers in their respective regions. I am most delighted that we could deliver their power to the world in the form of liqueur.
It's remarkable that a small producer like us in a rural area can be given such opportunities to challenge ourselves. Takayama is a city that allows us to take on challenges. From now on, we will deliver Hida's citrus to the world's tables, served as a glass in top-tier hotels and restaurants – a place befitting this recognition."
[Product Information] Award-Winning Product Overview
Yuzu Cello
Yuzu Cello 500ml Yuzu Cello 180ml
Awards: IWSC 2026 Gold Outstanding 98 points (2 consecutive years) / SFWSC 2026 Double Gold (99 points)
Volume/ABV: 180ml, 500ml / 23%
Suggested Retail Price: 180ml / ¥1,980 (incl. tax), 500ml / ¥4,980 (incl. tax)
Flavor Profile: Aroma of Kochi Prefecture yuzu peel and umami of Gifu Prefecture juice. Ideal as an aperitif or digestif, with soda, or as a gift.
Orange Cello
Orange Cello 500ml Orange Cello 180ml
Awards: IWSC 2026 Gold Outstanding 98 points (Awarded in debut year)
Volume/ABV: 180ml, 500ml / 29%
Suggested Retail Price: 180ml / ¥1,980 (incl. tax), 500ml / ¥4,980 (incl. tax)
Flavor Profile: Lively aroma and slightly bitter finish of Hiroshima Prefecture navel oranges.
Purchase: Official Online Store https://hidacraft.com/
[Future Plans]
As "Japan's Fruit Liqueurs Recognized by the World," Hida Craft will focus on expanding its reach for gift-giving occasions (mid-year and year-end gifts, internal celebrations) and increasing its presence in hotels and fine dining establishments.
We are accepting inquiries for partnerships and collaborations:
On-premise placement in hotels, fine dining restaurants, and bars (as signature cocktails or digestifs).
Retail sales in department stores, select shops, and specialty liquor stores (highlighting the award-winning story as a premium/gift item).
Partnerships with wholesalers and distributors, and consultations for corporate gifts and novelties.
We can also arrange tastings of award-winning products and provide promotional materials. Please feel free to contact us at the inquiry details below.
For Media Representatives (Interview Opportunities)
Interviews with Representative Takanori Mori (Background of awards, production methods, managing two businesses – roofing and liqueur, community initiatives).
On-site interviews and filming at the production facility in Takayama City.
Product tastings and sample provision.
High-resolution images of award-winning products and trophies.
Company Profile
Company Name: Mori Roofing Co., Ltd. Representative: Representative Director Takanori Mori
Location: 376 Chishima-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of craft liqueurs (Hida Craft) / Roofing business (Yane no Mori)
Hida Craft: Launched in 2022, sales began in 2023.
Web: https://hidacraft.com Instagram: @hida.craft_liqueur
Inquiries Regarding This Matter
Hida Craft (Mori Roofing Co., Ltd. Hida Craft Division)
Contact: Iwasaka
Phone: 0577-33-0018
FAX: 0577-35-1171
Email: [email protected]
*IWSC = International Wine & Spirits Competition (London, UK, established 1969).
*SFWSC = San Francisco World Spirits Competition (USA).
Award details and scores are based on the 2026 competition results.
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 受賞
- Organizations: IWSC / SFWSC