Ozeki's Craft Gin 'OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001' Wins Award at Prestigious International Spirits Competition IWSC 2026

Ozeki Co., Ltd. (Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Noriko Nagabe) has won a bronze award for its craft gin 'OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001' at the spirits category of the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2026, a globally respected international spirits evaluation contest. The award recognizes the product's balanced aroma and taste profile, as well as its overall craftsmanship.

'OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001'

■ About IWSC

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) was established in London in 1969 and has over 50 years of history. It is one of the largest wine and spirits competitions in Europe and is widely recognized as one of the world's three major spirits competitions.

The competition evaluates a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including wines, spirits, and liqueurs, through rigorous blind tastings. Entries are assessed from multiple perspectives, including taste, aroma, and balance. (Official website: https://www.iwsc.net/)

■ IWSC Judges' Tasting Notes

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.

■ About OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001

Leveraging fermentation, distillation, and blending techniques honed through sake production, Ozeki has turned its attention to gin as a medium to explore aromatic expressions beyond the scope of traditional sake. Gin offers great creative freedom through the selection and combination of botanicals, as well as flexibility in production and consumption methods. 'OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001' is the first product in this new series.

This product has been available since the end of February 2026 in limited quantities at the company's brand shop 'Sekijuan' and the official Ozeki online store.

■ Product Features

○ A classic craft gin blending tradition and innovation

Designed as a balanced craft gin with juniper berry freshness as its base, complemented by the vibrant zest of yuzu, the sweetness of tea, and the layered complexity of spices. The dry spiciness of lemon peel and ginger adds clarity to the finish, making it especially enjoyable when served neat.

○ Smooth and rounded mouthfeel

Through careful distillation and blending, the harshness of alcohol is minimized, resulting in a soft and high-quality texture. The natural flavors of the ingredients unfold gently on the palate.

○ Versatile for diverse drinking styles

Perfect for neat, on the rocks, or with soda, as well as ideal as a base for gin and tonics or cocktails. Its character remains consistent whether served chilled or at room temperature, making it suitable for both before and after meals.

With this product as a starting point, Ozeki will continue to pursue its vision of 'Ozeki for a joyful life,' creating new aromatic cultures through gin and promoting the appeal of Japanese-origin spirits both domestically and internationally, offering value that enriches people's daily lives.

■ Product Overview

Product Name: OZEKI CRAFT GIN #001

Volume/Container: 700ml / Bottle

Category: Spirits

Alcohol Content: 43%

Suggested Retail Price: ¥4,500 (excl. tax) / ¥4,950 (incl. tax)

Release Date: Currently on sale

Sales Area: Limited quantity (available at brand shop 'Sekijuan' and official Ozeki online store)

■ Additional Information

Ozeki Official Online Store: https://shop.ozeki.co.jp/i/0037033-0000-01-00

Brand Shop 'Sekijuan': https://sekijuan.ozeki.co.jp/