The results of one of the largest spirits competitions in Asia, the 2023 edition of the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC), is out!

The competition, now in its fifth year, was first started in 2019 and draws hundreds of entries annually, with two divisions - the Western Liquor Category (including Whisky, Rum, Tequila and Gins) and also a Shochu Category.

Judging is done in two stages - a primary screening happening from mid-January to mid-February that is done remotely, and a secondary screening held in Tokyo in March.

Highlights

Some of the key highlights this year was seeing several Scotch distilleries begin to make a name for themselves including Glen Scotia and Lindores, the Dewar's Double Double has also been quite a hit lately, often found at airport duty-free stores. Israel's M&H off the back of a winning spree also won a prize for its Fortified Red Wine Cask. Ken's Choice took home three top prizes and has consistently produced some top notch whiskies.

Several Japanese whiskies that did well included Mars with two single cask Komagatake expressions and their new Yakushima Ageing (YA) line. The rising star that is Kanosuke also took home a top prize for its Artist Edition #2.

The usual suspects including Taiwan's Kavalan, and of course Japan's Hibiki from Suntory and several Ichiro's Malts rounded up the top winners. 

Other noteworthy Japanese whisky winners of the Gold prizes includes Hinomaru, Saburomaru, Yamazakura, Sakurao, Fuji and Nagahama. Several Japanese distilleries still awaiting their whiskies to be ready have nonetheless bagged prizes for their gin, including Okayama and Yaso. 

Superior Gold Winners

(Image Source: Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition)

Superior Gold Winners List

• 24.169 SMWS Bonkers for Conkers (Macallan)
• 53.419 SMWS Bewitching Witches and Lingering Incense of Black Magic (Caol Ila)
• 68.100 SMWS The Beat Of A Cinnamon Drumstick (Blair Athol)
• Balblair 18 Year Old
• Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013
• Glen Scotia 10 Year Old
• Lindores Single Malt Japan Exclusive Sherry Butt
• Old Pulteney 18 Year Old
• Port Charlotte 10 Year Old
• Port Charlotte SC:01 2012
• Wilson & Morgan Dailuane 15 Year Old ePower 15th Anniversary Whisky Lovers Nagoya 2023
• Wilson & Morgan Linkwood 15 Year Old ePower 15th Anniversary
• Dewar's Double Double 21 Years Old
• Dewar's Double Double 27 Years Old
• Dewar's Double Double 32 Years Old
• James E Pepper 1776 Straight Bourbon
• Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Release 044
• Ken's Choice American Dream Barrel Liberty Bell 13 Years Old
• Ken's Choice American Dream Barrel Route 66 13 Years Old
• Ken's Choice Jazz Instrumental Vocal
• Single Cask Komagatake Aged 9 Years Cask No. 1665
• Single Cask Komagatake Yakushima Aging Cask No. 2026
• Single Malt Kanosuke Artist Edition #002
• Ichiro's Malt Double Distillers
• Mars the YA #01
• Ichiro's Malt & Grain Blended Japanese Whisky Limited Edition 2023
• Hibiki 21 Years Old
• Hibiki Blender's Choice
• Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Cask
• Kavaland Solist Oloroso Sherry
• Kavalan Solist PX Sherry
• M&H Apex Fortified Red Wine Cask
• Dartigalongue Bas Armagnac 1992
• Ron Zacapa XO
• Royal Centenario Sisema Solera 30 Edicion Limitada
• Alacran Extra Anejo
• Don Julio 1942
• Offtail Azeotrope Beer Distilled Gin Sansho Punch

Images courtesy of Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team