PressRelease

Pressrelease:“NINE LEAVES” RUM MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST JAPANESE BRAND TO WIN AN INNOVATION AWARD AT RHUM FEST PARIS 2014

For immediate release
April 9, 2014

“NINE LEAVES” RUM MAKES HISTORY 
AS THE FIRST JAPANESE BRAND
TO WIN INNOVATION AWARD AT RHUM FEST PARIS 2014  

Yoshiharu Takeuchi of auto-parts manufacturer Takehiro Co. Ltd., launched the “NINE LEAVES” brand of domestic rum in 2013. The first in a series of rums,“NINE LEAVES CLEAR” won the prestigious “Innovation de L’année”, an award given to the year's most innovative products, at the RHUM FEST PARIS 2014. This was the first time a Japanese rum won an award at this competition.

RHUM FEST PARIS is an international event for rum lovers and conneseurs held in Paris every year and showcasing a wide variety of rum from around the world. This year the event was held on April 6th and 7th and featured more than 400 types of rum from 120 different brands which were carefully evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of influencers in the rum industry. For a brand like NINE LEAVES that has only been around for one year, it is truly an honor to be presented with such an award at this international event.

Yoshiharu Takeuchi, President and Master Distiller of NINE LEAVES distillery who won the silver medal for innovation, commented, “I would not have been able to do this without the support of the people who listened to my story and took me seriously when I decided to get a distilling license. It is because of the the people who always told me ‘It’s delicious!’ with a smile, and the numerous people who have supported me behind the scenes that this was made possible. Words cannot describe how much your support and encouragement has meant. Thank you very much. This award is for innovation. However, I plan to continue making rum for the next 10, perhaps 20, years and continue to grow this brand that I care so deeply about. I hope everyone will continue to support us in the future.”

In addition, NINE LEAVES has started exporting and distributing to France and plans to expand sales to other European countries and North America.

About NINE LEAVES 
With the concept, “Sincerely Made, Rum from Japan” the brand launched in 2013. Using only the finest ingredients, including super soft water refined by the Otowa Mountains in Shiga Prefecture and brown sugar (muscovado) from Okinawa, Honshu’s first domestically produced rum brand was born. The use of handmade copper pot-stills imported from Scotland’s well-known Forsyth Inc., for the initial distillation of NINE LEAVES rum, created a delicate and sweet flavor with depth and layers. 

As part of a family that had been in the automotive industry for four generations, Yoshiharu decided to enter into a completely different industry with a yearning to create a finished product that embodies his creativity and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship that runs throughout the family.

The first product “NINE LEAVES CLEAR" (launched in June 2013) is a strong and vibrant white rum. The scent closely resembles that of daiginjyo sake and the rum conveys a sense of Japanese elements, which makes it relatable and has earned it a high reputation at bars and hotels nationwide. 

This month, NINE LEAVES plans to launch it’s first series of barrel-aged rum, “ANGEL’S HALF ~ American Oak Cask” and “ANGEL’S HALF ~ French Oak Cask.” Please check the website below for more information.