Our craft gin, "OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001," received a bronze medal in the spirits category at the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2026, in recognition of its balance of aroma and flavor, as well as its overall quality.

■ About IWSC

The IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) is an international alcoholic beverage competition with over 50 years of history, established in London in 1969. It is one of the largest in Europe and widely recognized as one of the world's three major alcoholic beverage competitions. A wide range of alcoholic beverages, including wine, spirits, and liqueurs, are judged through rigorous blind tasting, evaluating them from multiple perspectives, including taste, aroma, and balance. (Official website:https://www.iwsc.net/）

 

■IWSC Judges' Evaluation Comments

Delicate eucalyptus and spice aromas lead to a lively palate of black pepper, cardamom, and lemongrass, finishing smoothly with gentle sweetness and subtle earthy notes.

(The delicate aroma of eucalyptus and nuances of spices emerge, leading to a lively flavor reminiscent of black pepper, cardamom, and lemongrass. The finish is smooth, with a soft sweetness and a hint of earthiness.)

 

■OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001　　

Leveraging the fermentation, distillation, and blending techniques honed through sake brewing, we focused on gin as an area where we could pursue new aroma designs that could not be fully expressed with sake. Gin is an alcoholic beverage that can express a wide variety of aromas through the selection and combination of botanicals, and offers a high degree of freedom in its production methods and how it is consumed. Our first product developed in this area is "OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001".

This product will be available in limited quantities from the end of February 2026 at our brand shop "Sekijuan" and our official online shop.

 

■Product features

○ A classic craft gin that blends tradition and innovation.

This craft gin is designed with a refreshing juniper berry base, layered with the juiciness of yuzu, the sweetness of tea, and the complexity of spices for a well-balanced flavor. The dry spiciness of lemon peel and ginger adds a touch of clarity to the finish, making it most appealing when enjoyed neat.

○ A mellow and well-rounded sake quality

Through careful distillation and blending, the harshness of the alcohol is suppressed, resulting in a soft and refined mouthfeel. The original flavors of the ingredients unfold gently.

○ Accommodates a variety of drinking styles

It's perfect served straight, on the rocks, or with soda, and is also ideal as a base for gin and tonics and cocktails. It maintains its character whether served at room temperature or chilled, making it a versatile choice to enjoy before or after a meal.

Starting with this product, and based on our philosophy of "Ozeki for a Enjoyable Life," we will strive to create a new aroma culture through gin, promote the appeal of Japanese alcoholic beverages both domestically and internationally, and offer value propositions that enrich people's lives.

 

■ Product overview

Product name OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001

Contents/container 700ml/bottle

Rank Spirits

アルコール度数 43％

Ingredients: Domestically produced (alcohol for raw materials)

Suggested retail price: 4,500 yen (excluding tax) / 4,950 yen (including tax)

Release date: Available now

Limited availability in specific regions (Brand shops (Sekijuan), Official online shop)

 

■ Other

Our official online shop　https://shop.ozeki.co.jp/i/0037033-0000-01-00

Our brand shop "Sekijuan"　https://sekijuan.ozeki.co.jp/