Kirishima Shuzo's Shihida Expansion Factory Selected as "Excellent Brewery Representative" from Miyazaki Prefecture in the Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category, at the Sake Appraisal Competition Hosted by the Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau.
Kirishima Shuzo's Shihida Expansion Factory received the "Excellent Brewery Representative" award in the Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category, at the Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Competition Reiwa 8. The award recognized their self-bred sweet potato "Kirishima 8," unique "Elegance Yeast," and advanced manufacturing technology, all supporting the acclaimed 'KIRISHIMA No.8,' which has sold over 760,000 bottles.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 14:13 (41 min after Collected)
[Hanamura of Kirishima Shuzo receiving the certificate from Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Director Kitamura] [KIRISHIMA No.8]
Kirishima Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture; President: Kunihiro Enatsu)'s Shihida Expansion Factory received the Excellent Award in the Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category, at the Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Reiwa 8 Sake Appraisal Competition, and was also selected as the "Excellent Brewery Representative," a distinction awarded to only one brewery from each of the four target prefectures (Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Oita).
This award recognizes the highly acclaimed self-bred sweet potato and unique yeast that support the taste of 'KIRISHIMA No.8,' which has surpassed 760,000 cumulative sales (※1), as well as its manufacturing technology.
※1: As of end of March 2026
■ Award Overview
Appraisal Competition Name: Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Reiwa 8 Sake Appraisal Competition
Division: Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category
Award: Excellent Award
Brewery: Shihida Expansion Factory
Exhibit Brand: KIRISHIMA No.8
The Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Competition is held with the aim of promoting the advancement and development of brewing technology and improving quality through quality evaluation of manufactured sake and shochu. The Authentic Shochu Division has three categories: 'General Sake Category' which evaluates authentic shochu with an alcohol content of 25%, 'Carbonated Shochu Category' which evaluates shochu mixed with carbonated water, and 'Challenge Category' which evaluates authentic shochu with an alcohol content of 35% or higher and manufactured using special methods different from everyday shochu. Kirishima Shuzo also participates as a venue for verifying its manufacturing technology.
This time, in the 'Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category,' there were a total of 433 entries from 192 breweries, with 117 receiving the 'Excellent Award.' Of these, Miyazaki Prefecture had 105 entries from 49 breweries, with 31 receiving the Excellent Award. 'KIRISHIMA No.8' submitted from our Shihida Expansion Factory was among them. Furthermore, the Shihida Expansion Factory was selected as the 'Excellent Brewery Representative,' the only brewery chosen from Miyazaki Prefecture.
■ About the Award-Winning Shochu
'KIRISHIMA No.8' was pre-released in the metropolitan area on February 14, 2023, and began national distribution on July 8, 2024. Its fruity taste, reminiscent of Muscat grapes and mandarins, has attracted many fans, including those who have never drunk shochu before, and the proportion of users aged 40 and under is 1.5 times higher compared to other in-house brands. Additionally, its characteristic sweetness and depth unique to imo shochu (sweet potato shochu) and the pleasant aftertaste are notable. Amidst the growth of the 'aromatic shochu' market, which is whispered to be a new trend in the fourth shochu boom, it has been well-received as an 'aromatic food-pairing sake,' with cumulative sales of 490ml and 900ml bottles exceeding 760,000 (as of the end of March 2026).
■ Three Key Points of Evaluated Sweet Potato, Yeast, and Manufacturing Technology
1. 'Kirishima 8'
[Kirishima 8]
The raw material for the exhibited shochu, 'Kirishima 8' (Kirishima Eight) (※2), is a sweet potato born from Kirishima Shuzo's independently bred initiative, a first in Japan (※3) for a shochu maker (※4). The taste of imo shochu varies greatly depending on the type of sweet potato and its combination with koji and yeast. Kirishima Shuzo has been dedicated to developing sweet potato varieties with the desire to 'expand the possibilities of shochu.' 'Kirishima 8' is the result of this effort, a sweet potato that produces a gorgeous and fruity flavor not found in existing varieties.
※2: 'Kirishima 8' (Kirishima Eight) is a registered trademark of Kirishima Shuzo.
※3: It is the first time in Japan for a shochu maker to independently breed a sweet potato variety and manufacture and sell shochu using that variety. (According to Kirishima Shuzo research as of January 2023)
※4: 'Kirishima 8' is a general term that includes the variety name 'Kiri N8-1' and its successor 'Kiri N8-2'.
The variety independently bred was 'Kiri N8-1'.
2. 'Elegance Yeast' that brings out a fruity taste
[Elegance Yeast]
Kirishima Shuzo's uniquely developed 'Elegance Yeast' (※5) has the characteristic of strongly producing a gorgeous aroma.
To achieve ideal fermentation, the temperature inside the tanks is meticulously managed, creating an environment where the yeast can perform at its best.
※5: 'Elegance Yeast' is a proprietary designation of Kirishima Shuzo.
3. Manufacturing Team's Technical Prowess
[First fermentation tank]
For the development and manufacturing of 'KIRISHIMA No.8,' the Shihida Expansion Factory started with brewing in a single tank. Even if the first fermentation proceeds smoothly, unexpected challenges can arise during the second fermentation or distillation stages. Through repeated communication with the Research and Development Department and by varying the proportions of yeast, koji, sweet potato, and water, the optimal manufacturing conditions for 'Kirishima 8 × Elegance Yeast' were established.
■ Comment from the person in charge regarding the award
Hiroshi Hanamura, Manufacturing Department, Kirishima Shuzo Co., Ltd.
There is always pressure to achieve high recognition at this appraisal competition. This is my third time in charge of manufacturing, and as the results announcement approaches...
Kirishima Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture; President: Kunihiro Enatsu)'s Shihida Expansion Factory received the Excellent Award in the Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category, at the Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Reiwa 8 Sake Appraisal Competition, and was also selected as the "Excellent Brewery Representative," a distinction awarded to only one brewery from each of the four target prefectures (Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Oita).
This award recognizes the highly acclaimed self-bred sweet potato and unique yeast that support the taste of 'KIRISHIMA No.8,' which has surpassed 760,000 cumulative sales (※1), as well as its manufacturing technology.
※1: As of end of March 2026
■ Award Overview
Appraisal Competition Name: Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Reiwa 8 Sake Appraisal Competition
Division: Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category
Award: Excellent Award
Brewery: Shihida Expansion Factory
Exhibit Brand: KIRISHIMA No.8
The Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Appraisal Competition is held with the aim of promoting the advancement and development of brewing technology and improving quality through quality evaluation of manufactured sake and shochu. The Authentic Shochu Division has three categories: 'General Sake Category' which evaluates authentic shochu with an alcohol content of 25%, 'Carbonated Shochu Category' which evaluates shochu mixed with carbonated water, and 'Challenge Category' which evaluates authentic shochu with an alcohol content of 35% or higher and manufactured using special methods different from everyday shochu. Kirishima Shuzo also participates as a venue for verifying its manufacturing technology.
This time, in the 'Authentic Shochu Division, General Sake Category,' there were a total of 433 entries from 192 breweries, with 117 receiving the 'Excellent Award.' Of these, Miyazaki Prefecture had 105 entries from 49 breweries, with 31 receiving the Excellent Award. 'KIRISHIMA No.8' submitted from our Shihida Expansion Factory was among them. Furthermore, the Shihida Expansion Factory was selected as the 'Excellent Brewery Representative,' the only brewery chosen from Miyazaki Prefecture.
■ About the Award-Winning Shochu
'KIRISHIMA No.8' was pre-released in the metropolitan area on February 14, 2023, and began national distribution on July 8, 2024. Its fruity taste, reminiscent of Muscat grapes and mandarins, has attracted many fans, including those who have never drunk shochu before, and the proportion of users aged 40 and under is 1.5 times higher compared to other in-house brands. Additionally, its characteristic sweetness and depth unique to imo shochu (sweet potato shochu) and the pleasant aftertaste are notable. Amidst the growth of the 'aromatic shochu' market, which is whispered to be a new trend in the fourth shochu boom, it has been well-received as an 'aromatic food-pairing sake,' with cumulative sales of 490ml and 900ml bottles exceeding 760,000 (as of the end of March 2026).
■ Three Key Points of Evaluated Sweet Potato, Yeast, and Manufacturing Technology
1. 'Kirishima 8'
[Kirishima 8]
The raw material for the exhibited shochu, 'Kirishima 8' (Kirishima Eight) (※2), is a sweet potato born from Kirishima Shuzo's independently bred initiative, a first in Japan (※3) for a shochu maker (※4). The taste of imo shochu varies greatly depending on the type of sweet potato and its combination with koji and yeast. Kirishima Shuzo has been dedicated to developing sweet potato varieties with the desire to 'expand the possibilities of shochu.' 'Kirishima 8' is the result of this effort, a sweet potato that produces a gorgeous and fruity flavor not found in existing varieties.
※2: 'Kirishima 8' (Kirishima Eight) is a registered trademark of Kirishima Shuzo.
※3: It is the first time in Japan for a shochu maker to independently breed a sweet potato variety and manufacture and sell shochu using that variety. (According to Kirishima Shuzo research as of January 2023)
※4: 'Kirishima 8' is a general term that includes the variety name 'Kiri N8-1' and its successor 'Kiri N8-2'.
The variety independently bred was 'Kiri N8-1'.
2. 'Elegance Yeast' that brings out a fruity taste
[Elegance Yeast]
Kirishima Shuzo's uniquely developed 'Elegance Yeast' (※5) has the characteristic of strongly producing a gorgeous aroma.
To achieve ideal fermentation, the temperature inside the tanks is meticulously managed, creating an environment where the yeast can perform at its best.
※5: 'Elegance Yeast' is a proprietary designation of Kirishima Shuzo.
3. Manufacturing Team's Technical Prowess
[First fermentation tank]
For the development and manufacturing of 'KIRISHIMA No.8,' the Shihida Expansion Factory started with brewing in a single tank. Even if the first fermentation proceeds smoothly, unexpected challenges can arise during the second fermentation or distillation stages. Through repeated communication with the Research and Development Department and by varying the proportions of yeast, koji, sweet potato, and water, the optimal manufacturing conditions for 'Kirishima 8 × Elegance Yeast' were established.
■ Comment from the person in charge regarding the award
Hiroshi Hanamura, Manufacturing Department, Kirishima Shuzo Co., Ltd.
There is always pressure to achieve high recognition at this appraisal competition. This is my third time in charge of manufacturing, and as the results announcement approaches...