NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hiro Sake has earned a Double Gold Medal, and an exceptional 98-point score at the 2026 San Franciscoo International Wine & Spirits Competition (SFIWSC), one of the world’s most respected international beverage competitions.

The 98-point result represents a landmark achievement for Hiro Sake and places the brand among the most highly acclaimed sake recognized by the competition.

“This is an extraordinary honor for Hiro Sake and a tremendous validation of the quality, craftsmanship and character of our sake,” says Carlos Arana Hiro Sake co-founder and CEO. “A Double Gold is an achievement we are extremely proud of, but receiving 98 points makes this recognition particularly meaningful. It demonstrates that premium sake can compete at the highest level alongside the world’s finest wines and spirits.”

The San Francisco International Wine & Spirits Competition brings together leading judges and beverage professionals to evaluate wines, spirits and other beverages from around the world. Medals are awarded following professional blind evaluation, with Double Gold reserved for products receiving exceptional recognition from the judging panel.

A Milestone for Hiro Sake

The award comes at an important moment for Hiro Sake as the premium Japanese sake category continues to gain recognition among American consumers, sommeliers, chefs, collectors and beverage professionals.

Hiro Sake has built its reputation around bringing the distinctive character and craftsmanship of Japanese sake to an international audience. The 98-point score provides powerful independent recognition of the brand’s quality and reinforces Hiro’s positioning in the growing premium sake market.

“American consumers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about Japanese sake,” said Marco Destefanis, Marketing VP. “At Fujininski Brewery, we have dedicated significant time and effort to refining the quality of Hiro Sake, and we have also benefited from favorable circumstances. I don’t know anyone who succeeded in any field without the proverbial stroke of luck.”

98 Points — A New Benchmark

The 98-point score is particularly significant because scores at this level are rarely awarded in international beverage competitions and according to the competition organizers, the 98-point result is the highest score ever awarded to a sake at the San Francisco International Wine & Spirits Competition.

About Hiro Sake

Hiro Sake is a premium Japanese sake brand dedicated to bringing exceptional Japanese craftsmanship and the culture of sake to consumers around the world. Hiro combines traditional sake-making heritage with a contemporary approach designed for today’s international wine, spirits and culinary communities. The brand is available through selected retailers, restaurants and distributors in the United States.

For press and trade inquiries:
Vanessa Kieffer
Vanessa@hirosake.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/award-winning-hiro-sake-wins-double-gold-and-98-points-at-the-2026-san-francisco-international-wine–spirits-competition-302919696.html

SOURCE Hiro Sake