[Results] Yosuke Shiga Wins Giffard West Cup 2026 Japan Final, Advances to Asia-Pacific Final

Top 3 Prizewinners of the Giffard West Cup 2026 Japan Final

The Japan Final of the Giffard West Cup, an international cocktail competition held since 1997 by the venerable 141-year-old French liqueur maker Giffard, took place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at SALONE VENDREDI. Yosuke Shiga of THE SAILING BAR (Nara Prefecture) brilliantly secured the victory. As the Japan finalist, he has earned the right to compete in the Asia-Pacific Final in Manila, Philippines, in July 2026, and will challenge the world stage for the World Final to be held in France in September 2026.

Giffard West Cup 2026 Japan Final Report

Held every two years, the Giffard West Cup is now in its 29th year. This was the third Japan preliminary competition, following those in 2022 and 2024. Ten finalists, selected from approximately 110 applicants nationwide, competed by presenting two drinks. Based on the competition's theme, "SIP THE MOMENTS CRAFT YOUR JOURNEY -FROM SUNRISE TO MOONLIGHT-," they crafted expressions of drinking scenes and moments in a day's journey shared with a guest.

The competition also focused on new drink experiences where the crafts of the bar and coffee intersect.

From Giffard's unique perspective of "mixology is art," the judging criteria included technical skill, creativity, storytelling, theme, expressiveness of liqueurs and syrups, and the unique charm and visual appeal of the cocktails.

The winner was Yosuke Shiga (THE SAILING BAR, Nara). For his cocktail "Aube" (French for "dawn"), he focused on Japan's ancient fermentation culture, said to have roots in his native Nara. The drink was built around "Mantes-Pastilles" and woven with sake. His second cocktail, "Nuit" (French for "night"), was conceived as an after-dinner drink in a French pub, using "Crème de Cassis" and "White Cacao."

As Japan's representative, he will proceed to the Asia-Pacific Final in Manila in July 2026. If he places in the top four, he will qualify for the World Final, scheduled for late September.

- Winner: Yosuke Shiga (THE SAILING BAR, Nara Prefecture) - Cocktail Names: "Aube," "Nuit" - 2nd Place: Masanori Fujikura (Bar×Bar×Bar WATARASE, Tochigi Prefecture) - Cocktail Names: "Japonês Garantido," "Véraison" - 3rd Place: Shoki Taniguchi (Rigo SPANISH ITALIAN, Tokyo) - Cocktail Names: "Los," "Anul"

Prizewinner Comments

Winner: Yosuke Shiga "I am sincerely grateful to have received this award, surrounded by such wonderful people. I truly love Giffard's products. I want to continue delivering great cocktails to customers with Giffard. I will do my best for the world!"

2nd Place: Masanori Fujikura "I considered this my retirement match from competitions, so I'm disappointed I couldn't win, but I'm satisfied that I was able to create the flavor I aimed for. I wanted to create a cocktail that would make Japanese people prouder of their heritage, so I based my creation on the story of Japanese immigrants to Brazil."

3rd Place: Shoki Taniguchi "My goal was to demonstrate my usual hospitality as a restaurant bartender. I approached this with the desire to present a whole worldview, not just a drink. I'm genuinely happy that this sentiment was recognized with an award."

Competition Review

Vincent Nicol, Representative of Unfiltered & Asia Pacific Commercial Director for Giffard "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the participants and everyone who supported them."