ONLY a few weeks after the UK Bartender’s Guild’s (UBBG) Japanese spirits-themed National Cocktail Competition, the partnership between the JSS (the Japan Sake and Shochu Maker’s Association) and the JSS Academy has been strengthened even further with the announcement of another competition and seminar series centred around two of Japan’s national spirit categories – Honkaku Shochu and Awamori.
Starting in February, there will be a calendar of online activity to teach and inspire members to enter and create masterful cocktails.
The first seminar, ‘Honkaku Shochu and Awamori – Japan’s Beautiful Secrets’ on 21st February, 2021, welcomes three distinguished industry guests, including the recently awarded Tales of the Cocktail, Best American Bar Mentor of the year, Don Lee, to lead a 2-hour masterclass, interactive session, and companion tasting workshop. The seminar will dive into the categories’ histories, production methods, flavour profile, as well as cocktail inspiration.
The first 70 registrants will receive an exclusive Shochu and Awamori sample pack to accompany the session.
Guests include Don Lee, globally-renowned New York-based bartender, educator and JSS Ambassador, and Hitoshi Utsunomiya, Director of the Japan Sake and Shochu Association.
Seminar attendees will then be invited to enter The Great Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Contest, via the UKBG Membership system by submitting recipes and accompanying media. Entrants are required to be UKBG members – although membership is still free. The initial round will be judged by a panel of industry leaders, and finalists will be invited to compete in-person at the Finals on March 14th, 2022.
