Hiro Sake, the award-winning, handcrafted sake from Japan, has appointed Chase International Inc as its distribution partner for the US travel retail and Caribbean markets.
Hiro Sake is a premium Japanese sake brewed in the Niigata Prefecture, the premier sake-producing region of Japan. Hiro offers the ultra-premium Hiro Gold, super-premium Hiro Blue, and premium Hiro Red.
Hiro Gold, an ultra-premium sake known as Junmai Daiginjo sake, is crafted from 100% Koshi-Tanrei sake rice. This rice is grown exclusively in the Niigata Prefecture, the premier sake-producing region in Japan, where all Hiro Sake is brewed.
Hiro Gold is produced in limited quantities only once a year by Hiro’s Toji (master brewer).
Hiro Gold is not available in Japan, and is exclusive to US and European travel retail with a suggested retail price of US$100 (15%abv; 720ml).
Hiro Gold won a Double Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and joins the portfolio of Hiro Blue and Hiro Red, which have been growing double digits since their introduction six years ago, and are now available in over half the US domestically.
Hiro is handcrafted Japanese sake using only the finest ingredients at the Brewery Taiyo Shuzo, established in 1635 in the Niigata Prefecture. This Brewery is considered one of the finest craft sake breweries in Japan.
In addition to the new Hiro Gold Junmai Daiginjo, Hiro offers Hiro Blue junmai ginjo (15%abv) available in 720ml and 300ml bottles with a suggested retail price of US$40/US$20, and Hiro Red ginjo (15%abv) also available in 720ml and 300ml bottles with a suggested retail price of US$30/US$16.
Hiro Red and Hiro Blue can be used in cocktails, standing in for vodka, rum or gin, and with only half the alcohol of traditional spirits.
Hiro is only 39 calories per ounce, additive- and preservative-free, gluten-free (made with rice), histamine- and allergen-free and has one-third of the acidity of wine.
Hiro Sake has won additional accolades from the San Francisco International Wine Competition including a Double Gold Medal for Hiro Blue (2015) and named Best of Nation from Japan, the highest award bestowed.
Carlos Arana, Co-founder and CEO of Hiro Sake LLC, said: “As we celebrate our sixth anniversary of the US launch of Hiro Sake, we are excited to partner with Chase International, due to their long-standing expertise and strong reputation building super- and ultra-premium brands in the US travel retail and Caribbean markets.”
He continued: “We have grown double digits every year since 2011, and this year we are looking forward to expanding the presence of Hiro Gold, and the ultra-premium sake category, into US travel retail and internationally.”
Chase Donaldson, President of Chase International, commented: “We are extremely honored to be representing Hiro’s handcrafted sake brands, and look forward to building the awareness and presence of this exquisite ultra-premium brand.
“To date, sake as a category has been very under-represented in travel retail and on the cruise lines, and we see an exciting opportunity to create a whole new refreshing category for Hiro Blue and Hiro Red Sake drinks and usage, especially on the cruise lines, and with Hiro Gold in travel retail.”