iichiko Saiten Wins Double Gold for 4th Consecutive Year at SFWSC 2026, Scoring 99 Points

iichiko Saiten, a premium barley shochu produced by Sanwa Shurui Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Usa, Oita; President: Akinori Nishi), has been awarded the 'Double Gold' medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2026, one of the world's largest and most influential spirits competitions. The product also achieved a high score of 99 points. This marks the fourth consecutive year that iichiko Saiten has received the Double Gold award.

iichiko Saiten was born out of a collaboration with top bartenders in the United States, driven by the desire to expand the shochu category beyond traditional boundaries between Japanese and Western spirits by maximizing the 'umami' of Japanese traditional koji. After its initial release in the US in 2019, it launched in Japan in 2025 and has been steadily gaining recognition from bartenders around the world.

About the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) The SFWSC is recognized as one of the world's top three spirits competitions and is one of the most influential distilled spirits competitions globally. Founded in 2000 and held annually in San Francisco, this year marks its 26th event. The judging is conducted by spirits industry professionals, including experts from bars, restaurants, and hotels, journalists from major spirits media, liquor distributors, and consultants—all of whom possess the highest discerning eyes in the industry.

The judging process involves rigorous blind tastings, evaluating appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and finish, to determine whether an entry deserves 'Gold,' 'Silver,' 'Bronze,' or no medal. 'Double Gold' is awarded to products that receive a Gold rating from all judges.

About iichiko Saiten 700ml (43% ABV) iichiko Saiten is a premium barley shochu that maximizes the 'umami' of traditional Japanese koji. Its full-bodied aroma and deep finish, characteristic of distilled spirits made with koji, make it perfect for shots, on-the-rocks, or as a cocktail base.

Category: Honkaku Shochu ABV: 43% Ingredients: Barley Koji (domestically produced) Volume: 700ml Suggested Retail Price (tax included): 3,080 JPY