History of Masahiro Distillery (Former company name: HIGA SHUZO CO., LTD.)

1883

Masahiro distillery was founded in 1883 in Shuri, Okinawa, a region in Japan that used to be a castle town during the Ryukyu Kingdom. The founder is Shobun Higa. His father was the Head Chef in the Ryukyu Kingdom.
At that time, Awamori production was only allowed to those who had permission from the royal government. Under such circumstances, he started Awamori production under the trade name “Houchou Higa” and the Awamori production license was given by his father who was highly regarded for his skill as a royal court chef. Okinawa's food culture and Awamori culture are closely related. His father's passion for food must have been passed down to Shobun's Awamori production.

Higa Shobun

Shobun Higa

1912

Shogen Higa, the son of the founder, took over the distillery as the second generation.

Higa Shogen

Shogen Higa

Higa Shuzo arounf 1935

Around 1935

1945

In the midst of the chaotic wars, the Awamori industry reached its peak around the time of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), a few years earlier than World War II (1939-1945).
However, during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 at the end of World War II, most of the distilleries in Okinawa lost their factories. Moreover, we lost our Kusu (long-aged Awamori), which had been passed down from generation to generation at the same time. Our Shuri factory was also destroyed in the war.

1949

During the subsequent reconstruction, Shoko Higa (the third generation of the distillery) moved the factory to Yonabaru-cho in southern Okinawa and restarted the business.

与那原工場

Yonabaru Factory

Masahiro Higa, the company's representative at the time, named the product “Masahiro.” By making his own name the representative brand, he expressed his passion for Awamori production. People loved the product “Masahiro,” and it became the foundation of our distillery.

比嘉昌廣

Masahiro Higa

発売当時の「まさひろ」ラベル

Label of "Masahiro"

1967

In order to modernize the facilities, the factory was moved to Ishimine-cho in Shuri, Okinawa.
We introduced the low-temperature fermentation technique for the first time in the production of Awamori, based on traditional techniques. This challenge led to the development of postwar production technology.

Shuri

Ishimine Factory (currently known as Koshu-gura Shuri)

1979

Masakuni Higa took over the distillery as the fourth generation. During the heyday of whiskey, he worked to develop the Awamori market. One of his most notable achievements was the creation of the “Furusato Parcel” system that allowed Awamori to be shipped nationwide. At the time, it was groundbreaking for the post office to handle alcoholic beverages.
We were also the first company to enter Awamori in an international spirits competition and win a gold medal, and we pioneered the release of Awamori in “one-cup bottle” and paper carton packs, aggressively pioneering new markets.

1991

The Nishizaki Factory in Itoman city was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company's foundation. The manufacturing site was moved to Itoman city. We opened “Awamori Masahiro Gallery” on the same site displaying vintage Awamori. The gallery was well received as a factory for tours introducing a wide range of materials on Awamori.

創業100周年記念 西崎工場

100th Anniversary of Founding Nishizaki Plant

「泡盛まさひろギャラリー」

"Masahiro Gallery"

Corporate Information

English name MASAHIRO SHUZO CO., LTD.
Chinese name 昌广酒造株式会社
Japanese name まさひろ酒造株式会社
Year of foundation 1883
Date of Establishment August 26, 1965
Capital 48,000,000 JPY (Japanese Yen)
Representative Masayasu Higa
Banks The Okinawa Development Finance Corporation,
The Shoko Chukin Bank Naha Branch,
Bank of the Ryukyus Nishizaki Branch,
The Bank of Okinawa Nishizaki Branch.
Head Office 5-8-7 Nishizaki-Cho, Itoman-City, Okinawa, 901-0306, JAPAN Site area: about 9,900 square meters,
Factory building: about 3,100 square meters,
Moromisu (rice essence) factory: about 310 square meters.
Cellar 4-54 Ishimine-Cho, Syuri, Naha-City, Okinawa, 903-0804, JAPAN Site area: about 2,700 square meters,
Factory building: 1,650 square meters.
Production capacity Awamori: 3747KL, Moromisu (rice essence) : 2400KL
Main Facilities Complete set for Awamori production, storage capacity 3,440KL,
Moromisu (rice essence) production facilities,
Bio-plant facilities (Sake cake processing facilities)

History

1883 Shobun Higa founded Awamori production in the castle town of administration of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
1912 Shogen Higa succeeded as the second generation.
1936 Masahiro Higa succeeded as the third generation.
1949 Relocated our factory to Yonabaru-Cho to expand the capacity.
1965 Incorporated our company as a limited liability company. Changed our company name to HIGA Business Firm LLC.
1967 Changed our company name to HIGA SHUZO LLC.
Newly constructed a modernized factory and relocated it to Shuri, Naha city, Okinawa.
1991 Constructed a factory to celebrate the 100th anniversary and relocated it to Nishizaki-Cho, Itoman city.
Moved our head office into the factory and opens "Awamori Masahiro Gallery" in the building. We opened the gallery to the public. (Capacity: up to 100 people, Factory tours are available.)
1999 Released Moromisu (rice essence).
2002 Obtained ISO 9001 certification (Awamori) for the first time in the Awamori industry.
2003 Started the first biogas plant. (The processing facility of sake cakes)
2004 Obtained ISO 9001 certification for moromisu (rice essence).
2006 Started second biogas plant. (The processing facility of Sake cakes)
2007 Changed our company name to HIGA SHUZO CO., LTD.
Started the production and sale of liqueurs.
2015 Changed our company name to MASAHIRO SHUZO CO., LTD.
2017 Obtained a license for the production of spirits. Released Okinawa craft gin.

Award History

Monde Selection, International Food Evaluation Committee

1985 the 23rd Monde Selection
- Gold Medals : MASAHIRO ( First application and first prize from Okinawa Prefecture )

1986 the 24th Monde Selection
- Gold Medals : MASAHIRO SHUREI
- Silver Medals : MASAHIRO PURPLE

1987 the 25th Monde Selection
- Silver Medals : MASAHIRO GOLD
- Silver Medals : MASAHIRO SILVER

1991 the 29th Monde Selection
- Gold Medals : TAWAMURERU SHI-SA
- Silver Medals : KOSHUGURA SHURI

1996 the 34th Monde Selection
- Silver Medals : AWAMORI NO KUNI
- Silver Medals : HAISAI AWAMORI

1999 the 37th Monde Selection
- Silver Medals : Shimauta - Awamori

2008 the 46th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Koshu 5 Years Old Masahiro Kame Chozou
- Gold Medals : Koshu Masahiro Gold

2009 the 47th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals : Koshu Masahiro Gold

2010 the 48th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshugura Shuri 1991
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals : Koshu Masahiro Gold

2011 the 49th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Hana Shimauta
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold

2012 the 50th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Hanashimauta
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold

2013 the 51th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold

2014 the 52nd Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Koshu 3 Years Old Uminchu Gold

2015 the 53rd Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 7 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu
- Gold Medals :Koshu Uminchu Gold 3 Years Old

2016 the 54th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani Masahiro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotoma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 3 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro

2017 the 55th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro

2018 the 56th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 8 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 5 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Aka
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro

2019 the 57th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 8 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Kuro
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 01

2020 the 58th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Shurijo Seiden Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 5 Years Old Masahiro Gold
- Grand Gold Medals : Shimauta Kuro
- Gold Medals : Uminchu Premium

2021 the 59th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma

2022 the 60th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma

2023 the 61th Monde Selection
- Grand Gold Medals : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma

International Wine and Spirits Competition (I.W.S.C)
(Headquarters: UK)

2008
- Silver & best in class : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Silver & best in class : koshu Masahiro Gold
- Silver : Koshu 5 Years Old Masahiro Kame Chozou
- Silver : Awamori Shimauta Kuro

2009
- Silver & best in class : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- Silver & best in class : Hana Shimauta

2021
- Silver : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 5 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Silver : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 10 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask 
- Silver : Masahiro Pure Malt Whisky 12 Years Old Oloroso Sherry Cask

International Taste Institute (ITI, formerly iTQi)
(Headquarters: Belgium)

2009
- ★★ Sperior taste : Hana Shimauta

2010
- ★★ Sperior taste : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- ★★ Sperior taste : Shimauta
- ★★ Sperior taste : Hana Shimauta

The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI)

2008
- Silver [89points] : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma

Los Angeles International Spirits Competition
(Headquarters: Los Angeles)

2013
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

2014
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

2015
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

2016
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

2017
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

2018
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

2019
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

2022
- Gold : Hana Shimauta

San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SWSC)

2021
- Double Gold : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 10 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Gold Medal : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 5 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask
- Gold Medal : MASAHIRO Pure Malt Whisky

2022
- Silver : SEARA Japanese Craft Vodka

Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)
(Headquarters: Japan)

2019
- Silver : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 01

2020
- Silver : SHÔ MASAHIRO

2021
- Gold : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 02
- Silver : Uminchu Premium
- Silver : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani Masahiro

2022
- Gold Medal : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma

International Spirits Challenge

2022
-Silver Medal : KUJIRA Ryukyu Whisky 10 Years Old White Oak Virgin Cask

Awamori Kanpyokai (Awamori Awards)
(Headquarters: Okinawa, Japan)

1972
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1974
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1975
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1976
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1977
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1978
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1979
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1980
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1981
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1982
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1983
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1984
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Masahiro

1985
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1986
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1987
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Masahiro

1988
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

1991
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshugura Shuri

1992
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI

1993
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : MASAHIRO SILVER

1994
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI

1996
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI

1997
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : AWAMORI NO KUNI

1998
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro

1999
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Koshu Masahiro

2000
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Masahiro

2001
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Koshu Masahiro

2002
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Masahiro

2003
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Masahiro Seven

2004
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Awamori Koshu Masahiro

2007
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Awamori Koshu Masahiro

2014
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro

2015
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Kuradashi Masahiro

2016
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro

2017
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro
- Award by Governor of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Government : Kuradashi Masahiro

2018
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro

2019
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro

2020
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro

2022
- Award by Director-General of Okinawa Regional Taxation Office : Kuradashi Masahiro

OKINAWAN BRAND (Recommended by Okinawa Prefectural Government)

1983
- Old Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro Set
- Mild masahiro

1984
- Old Masahiro

1985
- Old Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro
- Awamori Masahiro Set

2009
- Awamori Masahiro Kensanmai Shikomi
- Tenkei no Shizuku

2012
- Tenkei no Shizuku
- Awamori Tsukekomi Umeshu Umenchu
- Awamori Masahiro Kensanmai Shikomi

All-Japan International Spirits & Liquor Promotion Association
(Headquarters: Japan)

May. 2017
- 1st place : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani Masahiro

Nov. 2017
- 1st place Special Prize : Koshu 8 Years Old Kugani Masahiro
- 1st place : Koshu 10 Years Old Gotouma
- 1st place : Masahiro Lounge

National Alcoholic Beverage and Seasoning Competition
(Headquarters: Japan)

1965
- Gold Medal : Awamori Masahiro
*Award by professor emeritus Sumie Kaneyuki at the Tokyo University of Agriculture

The Drinks Business & The Spirits Business

2022
- Master medal (Spring tasting) : MASAHIRO Pure Malt Whisky

Ultimate Spirits Challenge(USC)

2020
- 86points : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 01

Wine & Gourmet Taipei
(Headquarters: Taiwan)

2020
- Annual Selection : Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin Recipe 01

World Vodka Awards

2022
- Silver (categories: Varietal Vodka) : SEARA Japanese Craft Vodka

World Whiskyes Awards (WWA)

2022
- Gold Medal : MASAHIRO Pure Malt Whisky 12 Years Old Oloroso Sherry Cask