New York, NY — This summer, Japan will capture the world’s attention for weeks. iichiko, Japan’s leading barley shochu brand, is hosting a sports-inspired cocktail competition in August. Managed by Davos Brands, the competition is open to legal residents of the contiguous 48 U.S. states (and Washington, DC) ages 21 and up, with all entries submitted on www.iichiko.com/cocktailcompetition. The competition’s six finalists will be announced in July and will compete at the Grand Finale event in New York City in August. The grand prize is a trip for the winner and a guest to Tokyo and Kyushu Island, home of the iichiko distillery.
The all-star lineup of judges* for the competition are:
● Kenta Goto, New York
● Masahiro Urushido, New York
● Julia Momose, Chicago
● Jacques Bezuidenhout, New York
● Kevin Diedrich, San Francisco
● Natasha Sofia, Chicago
“We are very proud that some of the most prominent bartenders in the U.S. will be part of our judging panel,” says Daniel Mandelbaum, VP of Marketing, Davos Brands. “Each of them has worked extensively with iichiko Saiten and are excited by its limitless potential for shaking up the U.S. cocktail scene. We are looking forward to the sports-inspired submissions that will showcase iichiko Saiten’s incomparable versatility and umami notes.”
Competition Guidelines and Grand Prize
● Eligible Entrants:
● Legal residents of the contiguous 48 U.S. states (and Washington, DC), age 21+
● Cocktail Inspiration:
● Favorite sport such as Gymnastics, Volleyball and Swimming
● Judging Criteria:
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Best showcasing of iichiko Saiten or a non-alcoholic alternative, with a minimum of 1.5 ounces used in the cocktail
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Extent to which cocktail reflects inspiration of a summer sport
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Name of the cocktail
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Overall flavor and deliciousness
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Creativity and originality
● Ingredients:
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Recipes must incorporate 1.5 ounces of iichiko shochu or a non-alcoholic alternative and a maximum of five additional and readily accessible ingredients, plus a garnish, to ensure reproducibility
● Submission Period: May – July 15, 2021
● Finalists & Winner Announcements:
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Finalists will be announced July 2021
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The Grand Finale competition will be held in New York in August 2021
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The Grand Prize winner will be announced in August 2021
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The Grand Prize:
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A week-long trip for the winner and their guest (21+ years old) to Tokyo and Kyushu Island
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Tasting Notes on iichiko Saiten
On the nose, iichiko Saiten is redolent with aromas of honeydew melon, white grape, pickled watermelon rind and kabosu citrus. There are also hints of soy, white pepper and rich barley. On the palate, iichiko Saiten has a strong start and a long finish. It exudes rich umami notes of jasmine tea, white peach, minerals and earth with some citrus and a saline finish that beckons another sip.
About iichiko
iichiko Shochu is the native spirit of Japan – a white spirit that’s incredibly rich in flavor, yet smooth and easy to drink with food. iichiko, pronounced EACH-ko, is produced on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. iichiko is produced by Sanwa Shurui, Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s most esteemed producers of shochu, sake and wine. iichiko Saiten is a true honkaku shochu, which is distilled only once, and no artificial additives or sweeteners are permitted. Moreover, the single distillation better preserves the flavors created during fermentation, as opposed to multiple distillations that strip them out. The brand’s portfolio includes iichiko Saiten and iichiko Silhouette. For more information, please visit www.iichiko.com and follow-on social media @iichiko_usa.
About Davos Brands
A wholly owned Diageo subsidiary whose mission is to build and develop the highest quality, best-in-class wine and spirits brands that create a meaningful, valuable connection with consumers. We do this through teamwork, passion, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and relentless perseverance. The Davos Brands team members are recognized to be amongst the best performers in the industry. The team operates in a collegiate, open-structure, and dynamic mode. We think outside of the box and finds ways to obtain outstanding results through an entrepreneurial focus. Based in New York, the Davos Brands luxury portfolio is currently composed of Aviation American Gin, Balcones Distilling, Sombra Mezcal, Astral Tequila, iichiko Shochu, and TYKU Sake. Visit www.davosbrands.com/ for more information.
