Taiwanese Spirits Cocktail Competition to be Held, Showcasing the Charm of Taiwanese Spirits in a Glass

akinau Inc. has decided to host the "Taiwanese Spirits Cocktail Competition," a bartender competition to promote the charm of Taiwanese spirits, on Monday, July 6, 2026.

This competition is a project themed around expressing the climate, ingredients, culture, and atmosphere of Taiwan in a single cocktail. It aims to raise awareness and open new markets for Taiwanese spirits, while also creating opportunities to connect the bar, food and beverage, tourism, and creative industries of Taiwan and Japan through the creativity of bartenders.

The venue will be "bistro bébé" in the Kiyomizu Gojo area of Kyoto. The event will be held in a sophisticated space approximately 10 minutes' walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station.

### Event Outline

* **Competition Name**: TAIWAN FLAVOR CHALLENGE Taiwanese Spirits Cocktail Competition
* **Organizers**: akinau Inc., Taiwan Spirits Lab
* **Cooperation/Sponsorship**: Dong Tai Yang Distillery
* **Date**: Monday, July 6, 2026
* **Venue**: bistro bébé
Laquoh Complex 1F, 692-2 Ishifudo-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 600-8047, Japan

### Event Purpose

To raise awareness and open new markets for Taiwanese spirits, and to create new cocktail expressions themed around Taiwan's climate, culture, and ingredients.

### Application Requirements

* Must be 20 years of age or older at the time of application.
* Must be a bartender or equivalent.
* Must be able to develop and publish an original cocktail recipe in accordance with the regulations.
* Must be able to participate in the final judging on Monday, July 6, 2026.

### Theme for Entries

Cocktails that express the flavors of Taiwan in a single glass.

Judging will consider not only the taste but also the story behind it.

Examples:
* Oriental Beauty Tea × Spirits
* Irwin Mango × Herbs
* Brown Sugar × Fermentation × Spirits

### About Applications

We look forward to applications from bartenders who wish to express the climate, aroma, and cultural background of Taiwan in a single cocktail.

### Application Period

Monday, May 11, 2026 – Friday, June 5, 2026

### How to Apply

Via Google Form
↓
Apply Here

### About Judging

#### First Round Judging

The first round of judging will be a document review based on the following content submitted at the time of application.

* **Concept Development Ability**: Q. Please describe your cocktail concept inspired by the theme of Taiwan. The direction of the theme is open, as long as it relates to Taiwan.
* **Technical Thinking**: Q. What elements do you prioritize most when developing a cocktail? Please explain your reasons. (e.g., aroma, taste, appearance, story, etc.)
* **Understanding of Taiwan**: Q. Please name one aspect of Taiwanese culture, food, or ingredients that you believe can be utilized in a cocktail, and explain why.
* **Bartender Philosophy**: Q. What kind of bartender do you consider to be a "good bartender"?

#### Final Judging

A public stage judging by finalists who have passed the first round is planned.

Details will be announced sequentially as they are decided.

### Judging Flow

* **First Round Judging**: Document review based on content submitted via the application form.
* **Final Judging**: Public stage judging by 5 finalists.

### About the Venue

bistro bébé

The venue, "bistro bébé," is a French restaurant located in the Kiyomizu Gojo area, approximately 10 minutes' walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station.

### Prizes and Benefits

#### Winner

The winner will receive one of the following benefits:

* Round-trip airfare + 2 nights accommodation for a guest bartender appearance at Just Exchange Bar (Taiwan)
* OR
* Cash prize of 100,000 JPY

#### Creative Award

* Cash prize of 50,000 JPY

### Organizers' Comments

**Alex Yang, Representative of Taiwan Spirits Lab**

"The 'Taiwanese Spirits Cocktail Competition' is a creative endeavor starting from the unique flavors of Taiwan.

It quietly condenses the memories residing in Taiwan's climate—the island's fruits, the aroma of tea, the breath of plants, the nuances of rice and grains, and the nostalgic scent of street corners—along with the emotions that drift within its flavors, into a single cocktail."

**Shinya Taniguchi, Representative Director of akinau Inc.**

"We hope to spread the charm of Taiwanese spirits together with Japanese bartenders and connect it to new cultural and commercial value."

### Company Profile

**Company Name**: akinau Inc.

**Location**: 4-9-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0041, Japan

**Representative**: Shinya Taniguchi, Representative Director

**URL**: https://akinau.co.jp/

### Contact for this matter

akinau Inc.
Contact: Shinya Taniguchi, Naka