Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd. was honored with the prestigious “SHOCHU PRODUCER OF THE YEAR”—the top accolade bestowed upon the single standout producer in the Shochu Category—for the fifth consecutive year at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2026 awards ceremony, held in London, UK, on Oct. 6, 2026 (Tue).

In the ISC 2026 Shochu Category, Hombo Shuzo achieved distinguished recognition with “Yakushima Daishizenrin Mugi” securing the category’s pinnacle “TROPHY” and DOUBLE GOLD for the fourth consecutive year.
Building on this momentum, earning the “SHOCHU PRODUCER OF THE YEAR” title for the fifth consecutive year is an extraordinary milestone. We consider this a tremendous honor and express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in our journey—from raw ingredient cultivation to the craft of distillation. As passionate craftspeople of Honkaku Shochu, we will remain dedicated to tireless refinement and uncompromising quality, continuing our pursuit of crafting world-class spirits that compete on the global stage.

International Spirits Challenge 2026 Shochu Category

SHOCHU PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

ISC (International Spirits Challenge)

Hosted by the UK drinks publishing group Drinks International, the International Spirits Challenge is recognized globally as one of the most authoritative spirits competitions. Entries are evaluated across multiple categories—including White Spirits, Gin, and Whiskies—through blind tastings based on absolute quality. The judging panel is comprised of distinguished international industry experts, and the results command immense attention across the global drinks trade. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded in each category, with the premier “Trophy” distinction reserved for the highest pinnacle of achievement among Gold medal winners.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

In the ISC, which encompasses spirits from across the globe, this prestigious honor is bestowed upon the single producer demonstrating the most outstanding performance within each respective category*. *The 2026 categories include Agave Spirits, American Whiskey, Aquavit, Baijiu, Brandy & Cognac, Design & Packaging, Gin, Irish Whiskey, Japanese Whisky, Liqueurs, Pre-mixed Drinks, Rum, Scotch Whisky, Shochu, Vodka, World Whiskies, and Supermarket Own Brand.

International Spirits Challenge Official Website