SABUROMARU Distillery, run by Wakatsuru Shuzo Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Saburomaru, Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture; President Takahiko Inagaki), has picked up four honors at Asia World Spirits Competition 2026, an international distilled-spirits competition focused on the Asian market — three Double Gold awards and one Gold award.
About the Asia World Spirits Competition
The Asia World Spirits Competition is an international spirits competition organized by The Tasting Alliance, which also runs several well-known global drinks competitions. Judging takes place through blind tastings conducted by industry buyers and experts, with an emphasis on tastes and market trends specific to Asia.
Three bottlings from SABUROMARU Distillery's blended whisky series SAB. earned Double Gold, one of the competition's top honors, while a single cask release from the Saburomaru lineup took Gold.
Asia World Spirits Competition 2026 Award Results
Double Gold
SAB. SUNSET RED
Volume: 200ml / 700ml
Ingredients: Malt, grain
Alcohol content: 46%
Suggested retail price:
- 200ml: ¥1,140 (¥1,254 tax included)
- 700ml: ¥3,180 (¥3,498 tax included)
SAB. NIGHT BLACK
Volume: 200ml / 700ml
Ingredients: Malt, grain
Alcohol content: 46%
Suggested retail price:
- 200ml: ¥1,680 (¥1,848 tax included)
- 700ml: ¥4,900 (¥5,390 tax included)
SAB. OCEAN BLUE 1ST BATCH
Volume: 700ml
Ingredients: Malt, grain
Alcohol content: 46%
Suggested retail price: ¥9,000 (¥9,900 tax included)
Gold
SINGLE CASK SABUROMARU Guan #100365 (Romance of the Three Kingdoms series: Guan Yu)
Volume: 700ml
Ingredients: Malt
Alcohol content: 60%
Suggested retail price: ¥24,500 (¥26,950 tax included)
Note: Limited quantity, already sold out in Japan
About SABUROMARU Distillery
SABUROMARU Distillery, located in Saburomaru, Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture, is the oldest whisky distillery in Japan's Hokuriku region. Its parent company, Wakatsuru Shuzo, was founded in 1862, and the distillery has produced whisky since 1952 — more than 70 years spent perfecting smoky whisky. Fifth-generation president Takahiko Inagaki led a major renovation of the distillery in 2017, giving it a fresh start under the concept "The Ultimate Peat" and driving continued innovation ever since. In 2019, the distillery introduced ZEMON, the world's first cast still, built using the traditional bronze-casting techniques of nearby Takaoka City. It also uses locally sourced Mizunara oak for its casks, with a mission to craft whiskies that can only be made in Toyama and share them with the world.
