[Won Double Top Gold Awards at Global Spirits Competitions with 99 and 98 out of 100 Points] 'Umeshu Kumahei' Craft Liqueur Wins Highest Awards at Two of the World's Most Prestigious Competitions!

'Umeshu Kumahei', manufactured and sold by Inoue Umeboshi Food Co., Ltd. (Brand Name: Kumahira no Ume, Headquarters: Yamauchi, Minabe-cho, Hidaka-gun, Wakayama Prefecture; Representative Director: Kazuo Hanamura), has achieved a score of 98 out of 100 at the 'IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) 2026' held in the UK, earning the highest award: 'Gold Outstanding'.

Additionally, it also won the Double Gold award—the highest category—with a score of 99 out of 100 at the 'SFWSC (San Francisco World Spirits Competition) 2026' held in the US. Combined with the result at IWSC, the craft liqueur has been highly praised at two prestigious international competitions.

■ Award details and competition overview

International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC 2026)
Award/Score: Gold Outstanding / 98 points
Overview: Established in London in 1969, IWSC is one of the world's most historical and prestigious international liquor competitions. The judging is conducted by world-leading professionals through blind tastings, evaluated rigorously by consensus. It features a strict process combining subjective taste evaluations with objective scientific quality assessments.

San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC 2026)
Award/Score: Double Gold / 99 points
Overview: Established in the US in 2000, SFWSC boasts one of the largest numbers of entries worldwide and is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the global market today. Judging is conducted through strictly blind tastings.

■ The charm of 'Umeshu Kumahei' lies in the overwhelming dedication to the plums

Luxuriously using strictly selected large Kishu Nanko-ume
'Kumahei' uses an amount of Kishu Nanko-ume far exceeding the standard for common Umeshu. It is limited to large 3L size or larger fruits. By using only Nanko-ume grown on our own farm and strictly inspecting the ripeness for soaking, we have achieved a fruity fragrance that spreads the moment it is poured into a glass.

Rich and luxurious depth that does not rely on sugar sweetness
By extracting plum essence slowly over time, we have finished it with a taste where the natural refreshing acidity of plums and a profound depth are harmonized, without relying on sugary sweetness. It is a cup to be enjoyed elegantly, much like wine or brandy.

Minimalist raw materials to preserve the original plum flavor
Raw materials are only 'alcohol, rock sugar, and plums'. No components other than plums are added. Because it is simple, you can feel the original aroma and taste of Kishu Nanko-ume to the maximum extent.

■ Product Overview

IWSC Commentary (Paraphrase)
A gorgeous aroma reminiscent of cherry blossoms and vibrant flowers rises up. When taken into the mouth, the delicate depth derived from the seeds, like almonds, overlaps with juicy, concentrated plums, spreading a lively, fruity taste. Finally, nuances like sweet, lush apricots spread out, continuing pleasantly as a profound and refreshing lingering finish.

▼Product details here
https://www.kumaheinoume.co.jp/view/item/000000000128

■ Umeshu 'Kumahei'
Suggested retail price: 3,300 yen (tax included)
Product name: Kumahei
Category: Liqueur
Raw materials: Nanko-ume (Wakayama Prefecture), rock sugar, brewing alcohol
Content: 720ml
Alcohol content: 16%

■ About Kumahira no Ume
Inoue Umeboshi Food Co., Ltd. (Brand Name: Kumahira no Ume) has been producing, processing, and selling Kishu Nanko-ume for four generations in Minabe-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, the No. 1 plum production area in Japan.