Kikumasamune's First Craft Gin 'BESIDE' Wins Award at World's Premier Spirits Competition 'International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026'

Kikumasamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashinada-ku, Kobe City; President: Jiroemon Kanō) has won a bronze medal in the Spirits category at the 'International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2026' for its craft gin, 'BESIDE'.

'BESIDE' features six botanicals: juniper berries, angelica, coriander, cinnamon, orange peel, and Yoshino cedar. Each botanical is individually distilled with meticulous care to preserve its unique aroma and flavor, resulting in a sophisticated, mellow sweetness that emerges from within, along with a smooth mouthfeel that tempers the typical botanical bitterness. Leveraging the company’s long-standing expertise in barrel aging, the inclusion of Yoshino cedar as a botanical adds a subtle spiciness within the sweetness, enhancing the overall balance and structure.

[Tasting Notes by Official IWSC Judges]

Delicate aromas of juniper and peppercorn lead into a sweet and spicy palate, with nuances of licorice and cardamom, finishing with a faint mineral impression.

[About IWSC]

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), established in the UK in 1969, is one of the world’s most prestigious and authoritative competitions for alcoholic beverages. It evaluates wines, spirits, and liqueurs across a wide range of categories through rigorous blind tastings conducted by industry experts. As a globally recognized benchmark for quality, the IWSC enjoys high credibility worldwide.

Product Name: Kikumasamune BESIDE 700mL

Price: ¥4,500 (excluding tax), recommended retail price

Category: Spirits

Alcohol Content: 40%

Packaging: 6-bottle cardboard box

Sales Area: Nationwide (Japan)

Release Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 (year-round availability)