Kiuchi Brewery’s Hinomaru Whisky Hitachino Sherry Cask 2026 Edition Wins Superior Gold at TWSC2026

Kiuchi Brewery Inc. of Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, announced that “Hinomaru Whisky Hitachino Sherry Cask 2026 Edition,” made with more than 50% domestically grown barley cultivated under contract in Ibaraki, won the Superior Gold Award at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2026, one of Asia’s largest spirits competitions held in Japan. A total of three Hinomaru Whisky products received awards, earning strong recognition at the competition. Awards: Superior Gold: Hinomaru Whisky Hitachino Sherry Cask 2026 Edition Silver: Hinomaru Whisky Silent Cask Double Sherry Cask Bronze: Hinomaru Whisky 2026 Edition Award-winning product details: Hinomaru Whisky Hitachino Sherry Cask 2026 Edition is a whisky in a 700ml bottle, made from malt, with ingredients produced in Japan as malt whisky. It has an alcohol content of 48% and a suggested retail price of 9,000 yen plus tax, including a wooden box. This limited-quantity product has already sold out. Hinomaru Whisky Silent Cask Double Sherry Cask is a whisky in a 700ml bottle, made from malt and wheat, with ingredients produced in Japan as malt whisky and grain whisky. It has an alcohol content of 48% and a suggested retail price of 26,000 yen plus tax, including a wooden box. Hinomaru Whisky 2026 Edition is a whisky in a 700ml bottle, made from malt, with ingredients produced in Japan as malt whisky. It has an alcohol content of 48% and a suggested retail price of 6,000 yen plus tax, including a presentation box. The Hinomaru Whisky Hitachino series was created as a Japanese whisky that makes use of the blessings of Japan’s rich natural environment, using rare barley grown in the Hitachino region of Ibaraki Prefecture. By steadily using local ingredients, the series also contributes to revitalizing regional agriculture. The Superior Gold-winning Hinomaru Whisky Hitachino Sherry Cask 2026 Edition uses more than 50% domestically grown barley cultivated under contract in Ibaraki, offering the sweet, expansive flavor of sherry casks and a deep lingering finish. Regarding Hinomaru Whisky Silent Cask, Kiuchi Brewery established the Nukada Brewery in 2007 as the production base for Hitachino Nest Beer in order to build a mass-production system for beer. In February 2016, the company installed a 1,000-liter column still in part of the beer factory and began whisky distillation. Hinomaru Whisky Silent Cask uses only malt and grain whisky spirits produced at the Nukada Distillery, offering mellow depth from long-term maturation. Yasato Distillery was established in 2020 in the Yasato area of Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Located at the eastern foot of Mount Tsukuba, the distillery is blessed with abundant water sources and nature, and produces Hinomaru Whisky and Hinomaru Gin Kurafuto. Its visitor center carries a broad selection of Hinomaru Whisky, including limited-edition products, and offers bottle sales and tastings. Visitors can also purchase prosciutto, bacon, sausages, and other products made by Hitachino Ham Workshop BARREL SMOKE. The facility also includes exhibition booths presenting the history of Kiuchi Brewery’s sake brewing and its initiatives and challenges in Japanese whisky production. Kiuchi Brewery Inc. is located at 808 Minamisakaide, Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Tel: 029-212-5111.