Chiyomusubi's yuzu liqueur wins top prize at Kura Master
Chiyomusubi Shuzo's yuzu liqueur ULTRA YUZU from Tottori has won the top prize in the liqueur category at Kura Master 2026, judged mainly by French experts.
CHIYOMUSUBI ULTRA YUZU, a yuzu liqueur from Chiyomusubi Shuzo, which has been brewing in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast since 1865, has received the “President Prize”, the highest award of the liqueur competition, at Kura Master 2026, the Paris competition for Japanese alcoholic drinks. Only one entry is awarded this prize across the whole liqueur competition, and the ceremony was held in Paris on 30 September 2026. A yuzu liqueur made by a sake brewery has thus won high praise from French wine and food professionals.
A competition chosen by French sommeliers
Kura Master began in 2017, and its judges are drinks professionals, mostly French. A distinctive feature is its emphasis on how well a drink pairs with food. For its tenth edition in 2026, the judging took place at the Paris restaurant Pavillon Ledoyen. About 125 judges took part, including sommeliers holding the French title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) and sommeliers from five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. A total of 1,252 products were entered across four competitions (sake, honkaku shochu and awamori, liqueur, and Japanese wine), and one President Prize was chosen for each. In 2026 the liqueur competition added a citrus liqueur category alongside the existing plum wine category, and ULTRA YUZU had already won a Platinum Award and a Judges’ Award in that category in May. It was then selected for the top prize after the final round of judging.
A balance of sweetness, acidity and bitterness
Maeva Rougeorelle, chair of the liqueur competition jury, praised the elegance and delicacy that carry from the aroma through to the flavour. The balance of sweetness, acidity and bitterness on the palate was singled out in particular, and the jury commented that the liqueur pairs easily not only with desserts but also with savoury dishes. It is made with Japanese-grown yuzu juice, part of which comes from yuzu cultivated at Suda Farm in Tottori Prefecture. Fructose and brewer’s alcohol are also added, and the alcohol content is a light 6%.
A liqueur from a sake brewery
While sake is its mainstay, Chiyomusubi Shuzo also makes shochu, liqueurs, whisky and more, and exports to more than 30 countries. At the same 2026 Kura Master, its junmai daiginjo also won a Platinum Award in the sake competition. President Satoshi Okazora said he was delighted that professionals from France, with its rich food culture, had recognised the balance of yuzu aroma and flavour.
If you are looking for yuzu liqueur in Europe, it is worth checking the range at specialist shops and importers that handle sake and liqueurs. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit with a more fragrant aroma than lemon and a faint bitterness in the peel. Because the alcohol content is low, it is easy to enjoy on the rocks or topped up with sparkling water. Following the judges’ comments, you might also try it with cured ham or salty seafood dishes, not just sweet desserts.
Sources
This article was written by The Sake Wire editorial team, summarising the public sources listed above. Images are our own.
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