Award: Milano Sake Challenge 2026 Magnifica Medal
On Sept. 20, 2026 (Sun), Honkaku Shochu “Akanekaze 43” by Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd. was awarded the prestigious “Magnifica Award,” the highest accolade in the Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Category, at the MILANO SAKE CHALLENGE 2026 award ceremony held in Milan, Italy. Furthermore, it achieved the highest honor in the design evaluation, capturing the “Best Design Award” presented to the single most aesthetically beautiful and functional bottle.
At the Milano Sake Challenge 2026, “Akanekaze 43” was honored with both the “Magnifica Award” and the “Best Design Award” in the Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Category, following its Platinum and Good Design Awards. To receive the highest possible acclaim in both tasting sessions conducted by Italian Sake Sommeliers and design evaluations judged by renowned designers and European design institutions is an extraordinary honor for which we are profoundly grateful. As a dedicated producer of Honkaku Shochu, we remain deeply appreciative of the unique terroir of Kagoshima. We will continue our tireless pursuit of excellence, refining quality and taking on new challenges to craft world-class shochu.
Milano Sake Challenge 2026
Tasting Award: Magnifica (Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Category)
Tasting Notes by Judges
MSC Official Website
“The product presents with crystal clarity and a bold structure that expresses surprising aromatic intensity, alternating floral notes of jasmine and violet with fruity hints of peach and forest fruits. On the palate, it reveals a layered complexity where the sweetness is well-balanced by a warm and vibrant alcohol component, culminating in an exceptional persistence that exceeds expectations for the sweet potato shochu category. Compared to the typical profile, this label stands out for a modern cleanliness and an aromatic finesse that leans toward the vacuum-distilled style, while maintaining a full-bodied and rich structure that enhances its drinkability. The overall assessment is decidedly positive, outlining a harmonious spirit capable of evolving from a subtle nose to an explosive and deep palate. The product’s identity is reinforced by clear references to sweet potato and fresh citrusy and spicy hints of white pepper, enriched by lactic nuances and dried fruit that confirm its elegance. Descriptors of peach, apricot, and toasted notes underline excellent versatility, ideal both for neat consumption and for mixing with soda or water.”
Design Award: Best Design (Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Category)
Design Evaluation by Judges
MSC Official Website
“The design of AKANEKAZE 43 effectively captures attention through a distinctive bottle shape and a pastel color palette that conveys modernity, luxury, and balanced innovation. Most judges appreciated the high quality of execution and stylistic consistency, recognizing in the product a well-defined Japanese identity capable of appealing to European tastes. Compared to the typical profile of sweet potato shochu, often associated with a rustic aesthetic, this product elevates itself toward a premium positioning ideal for fine dining and the most refined cocktail bars. The messages of minimalism and craftsmanship perceived by the experts reinforce the image of a precious spirit, whose attention to materials and bottle finishes represents the most memorable and distinctive element of the entire presentation.”
Milano Sake Challenge (MSC)
Held since 2019, the MILANO SAKE CHALLENGE combines rigorous tasting evaluations conducted by Italian Sake Sommeliers with a distinctive design assessment unique to Milan, a global capital of design. This proprietary evaluation framework, appraising products from the dual perspectives of taste and aesthetic presentation, enjoys high international acclaim. In 2025, the Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Category was inaugurated, awarding Platinum, Double Gold, Gold, and Silver medals across each product division. Additionally, the “Magnifica Award” is bestowed upon the top product in each category, representing the supreme honor an entry can achieve in this competition.
MILANO SAKE CHALLENGE Official Website
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