Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) 2026 Announces 'Japan Grand Prix' Winning Bottles

The "Japan Grand Prix" of the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (hereinafter: TWSC), Japan's only and one of Asia's largest (*) spirits tasting competitions, is a category established in 2025 specifically for spirits produced by small-scale craft distilleries in Japan. While last year only single malt whiskies and newborn spirits were awarded, this year the category was expanded to include Japanese craft spirits such as brandy and rum.

*Based on internal research as of May 2026, as a "whisky and spirits competition" held in Japan.

TWSC 2026 Japan Grand Prix Winning Bottles

[Japanese Whisky Single Malt]
- Product Name: Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Hanaguhashi Karinpani
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 55%
- Entrant: Kenten Co., Ltd. / Akkeshi Distillery

[Japanese Whisky Blended]
- Product Name: Ichiro's Malt & Grain Blended Japanese Whisky 2026
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 48%
- Entrant: Venture Whisky

[Japanese Whisky Single Cask]
- Product Name: SINGLE CASK STRENGTH JAPANESE WHISKY Ontake No.18
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 55%
- Entrant: Nishi Shuzo

[Japanese Newborn]
- Product Name: HINOKAMI NEW BORN #1
- Volume: 200ml
- ABV: 50%
- Entrant: Satsuma Shuzo

[Japanese Brandy]
- Product Name: Tanbrandy 18
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 53%
- Entrant: Nishiyama Shuzojo

[Japanese Rum]
- Product Name: Ierum Santa Maria Distillery Limited Edition 3
- Volume: 500ml
- ABV: 60%
- Entrant: Iejima Bussan Center

Message from Mamoru Tsuchiya, Chairman of the TWSC Executive Committee, on the "Japan Grand Prix"

TWSC is now in its 8th year, garnering increasing attention as Japan's only and Asia's largest whisky and spirits competition, watched closely by Japan, Asia, and the world. Particularly in recent years, there has been a surge in the establishment of Japanese whisky craft distilleries. From 30 distilleries in 2020, the number has grown to over 120 as of May 2026. Many of these were founded during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2023, and are now clearing the 3-year aging standard set by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association. Moving forward, it is expected that a wave of new products aged 3 years or more will be released from these distilleries, and additionally, more distilleries will likely release new makes and newborn spirits aged less than 3 years.

Through TWSC, we hope to make the products of craft distilleries more widely known to consumers both domestically and internationally, while also providing encouragement and support to the producers.

About the Judging Method for the Japan Grand Prix
Among the entries in the TWSC 2026 Western Spirits division, 108 items were eligible for the Japan Grand Prix. Judging was conducted remotely, with each entry divided into small bottles and sent out with brand names concealed. Gin was not selected for the Japan Grand Prix because there is a dedicated Japanese Gin category in the TWSC Special Award "Best of the Best."

TWSC 2026 Japan Grand Prix Entries and Awards
- Japanese Whisky: 67 entries / 3 awards
- Japanese Newborn: 27 entries / 1 award
- Japanese Brandy: 7 entries / 1 award
- Japanese Rum: 7 entries / 1 award
Total: 108 entries / 6 awards (Award rate: 6%)

Future Schedule for TWSC 2026
Award Announcement Schedule
All awards will be announced on PR TIMES according to the following schedule.
- Friday, May 15, 12:00 PM: Announcement of Best of the Best, Superior Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners
- Friday, May 22, 12:00 PM: Announcement of Japan Grand Prix (This release)
- Friday, May 29, 12:00 PM: Announcement of Best Distillery, Best Category, Best Cost Performance, Best Design, and Hall of Fame

Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2026 Award Ceremony
The TWSC 2026 Award Ceremony is planned to bring together winning manufacturers and importers for commendation ceremonies including the "Best of the Best."