Shibui Becomes Most Awarded Japanese Whisky to Launch in the United States

Published
07/29/2021 by

Shibui Whisky has become the most awarded Japanese whisky brand to launch in the United States, earning a record number of accolades in its first nine months with 15 medals and 19 scores of 90 or above from global spirits competitions and world-renowned experts.

Among Shibui's nine initial range offerings, the Single Grain 10-Year-Old Virgin White Oak was certainly a highlight, earning a staggering 95 points from the 2021 International Wine and Spirit Competition and 95 points from the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, as well as recognition as a Chairman's Trophy Finalist.

Part of IND Beverages, a woman-owned company founded by sisters Lauren and Rachel Simmons, Shibui launched in October with nine unique expressions aged up to 30 years. The sisters brought in Co-Owner and Head of Global Whisky Nicholas Pollacchi to lead Shibui to success.

"We are honored and delighted that Shibui whiskies have been so well received by some of the greatest aficionados and experts around the world, especially in such a short amount of time," said Pollacchi. "We look forward to raising the bar so our customers can continue to raise a glass of award-winning whisky."

Competing against 4,000 entrants from 86 countries at IWSC and similarly thousands of entrants from 52 countries at USC, Shibui is quickly making a name for itself in the spirits industry. 

Highlights from International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) and Whisky Advocate (WA):

Shibui Niigata Range
Grain Select - USC: 90 points, SFWSC: Silver Medal
Pure Malt - IWSC: 92 points 
Pure Malt 10 YO - IWSC: 91 points, USC: 92 points, SFWSC: Gold Medal

Shibui Okinawa Range
Single Grain Small Batch 8 YO Sherry Cask - WA: 90 points
Single Grain 10 YO Bourbon Cask - IWSC: 92 points, USC: 94 points & Chairman's Trophy Finalist
Single Grain 10 YO Virgin White Oak Cask - IWSC: 95 points, USC: 95 points & Chairman's Trophy Finalist
Single Grain 15 YO Sherry Cask - IWSC: 92 points, USC: 92 points, WA: 92 points
Single Grain 18 YO Sherry Cask - USC: 91 points
Single Grain 30 YO Rare Cask Reserve - WA: 91 points