Sustainable Gin YORI "OKAZAKI," Upcycling the Charms of Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, Wins Gold at the Prestigious UK Competition "The Gin Masters 2026"!

Connec.t Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Jun Oguchi; hereinafter "our company"), and the project team "NO NAME DISTILLERY," which develops sustainable gin "YORI" utilizing regional materials from across Japan to solve social issues, are pleased to announce that the gin "YORI OKAZAKI," which leverages materials from Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, has won "Gold" at the international spirits competition "The Gin Masters 2026," hosted by the UK's global spirits specialist magazine "The Spirits Business."

◆ About The Gin Masters

"The Gin Masters" is a top-tier international spirits competition specializing in gin, hosted by "The Spirits Business," a leading media outlet in the global spirits industry. Industry-leading experts conduct rigorous blind tastings, and the honor of "Gold" is awarded only to brands recognized for their quality.

▼ About YORI "OKAZAKI"

This is a special sustainable gin developed in collaboration with Takuya Sato, guitarist of the popular rock band "androp" and a native of Okazaki City, after an on-site inspection. The main botanicals are upcycled and blended using red and white grapes, and Okazaki City's specialty "Hatcho Miso" lids and "shimenawa end pieces."

▼ Message

We are deeply proud to have won a gold medal on the prestigious stage of "The Gin Masters 2026," held in the UK, a country inseparable from the history of gin.

This product is a collaborative creation with Takuya Sato and the members of androp, as well as wonderful local businesses in Okazaki City, embodying the region's spirit. We are extremely pleased that the new value of Okazaki's proud materials, such as grape pomace and Hatcho Miso lids, has been recognized and communicated to the world.

We express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved.

Jun Oguchi, Head of NO NAME DISTILLERY

◆ "YORI," a Sustainable Gin Solving Social Issues, Receives High Acclaim at Domestic and International Competitions

YORI is a domestic sustainable gin brand born from the concept of "breathing new life into local flavors." It selects regional food loss ingredients such as fruits and vegetables as botanicals and upcycles them in new ways. Distillation is carried out in cooperation with Numazu Distillery in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture (operated by FLAVOUR Inc.).

◆ Operation of "COYORI," a Restaurant Themed Around Local and Sustainable Practices

COYORI is a cafe bar offering 70 types of domestic craft gin and 30 types of shochu. With a gin list that makes flavor differences immediately apparent and tasting sets, it can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to gin enthusiasts.

Name: COYORI

Location: Hiroo SK Building 2F, 5-14-4 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

* 1 minute walk from Hiroo Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, located within the Hiroo Sanpo Dori Shopping Street.

◆ Operation of "COYORI," a Restaurant Themed Around Local and Sustainable Practices

"NO NAME DISTILLERY" operates with the mission of connecting local producers and consumers. While its name translates to "Nameless Distillery" in Japanese, it creates sustainable gin by collaborating with a wide range of regions without owning a distillery.

◆ Operating Company of "NO NAME DISTILLERY": Connec.t Inc.

Connec.t Inc., the operating company of "NO NAME DISTILLERY," is a company that supports regional revitalization, advocating for "creating and growing hometowns through regional management." It engages in businesses that connect regions, companies, and consumers to enhance regional sustainability and aims to revitalize local economies.

Jun Oguchi, Representative Director of Connec.t Inc.

After working in marketing at an advertising agency, he founded ROOTS Inc. under the umbrella of Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. in 2019 and launched "Satoiko," a "furusato nozei" (hometown tax donation) service specializing in experiences. He then became independent in November 2021 and assumed his current position.

He has been widely involved in administrative problem-solving, including business planning and promotion for over 50 municipalities nationwide, as well as organizational improvement, business implementation, and public relations. Recently, he has also focused on new business promotion for companies and public-private partnerships.

<Appointments>

Advisor for Regional Creativity, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications / Policy Promotion Advisor (Public-Private Partnership), Kyoto City / Coordinator, Co-creation Design Lab, Nagano Prefecture, etc.

<Qualifications>

Domestic Travel Business Manager / PRSJ Certified PR Planner / Certified Inbound Professional / JAPAN MENSA Member

Related Sites

● YORI Brand Site: https://yori-gin.com/

● NO NAME DISTILLERY: https://nonamedistillery.jp

● YORI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yori_gin_japan/

● COYORI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coyori_hiroo/

Inquiries about this matter

● NO NAME DISTILLERY Public Relations/PR

nonamedistillery@connec-t.jp