Empowering UK Bartenders through Japanese Spirit Education. 

Entering our fifth consecutive year, the UK Bartenders’ Guild is proud to celebrate a partnership with JSS that continues to shape the UK bar landscape.

Together, we’ve inspired hundreds of bartenders, expanded long-term education opportunities, and elevated national awareness of Japan’s most distinctive spirits. From seminar participation and sample requests to media reach and competition entries, the programme has seen consistent year-on-year growth.

This upward momentum reflects not only increasing interest, but the growing cultural and commercial significance of Shochu and Awamori across the UK.

This year’s competition will begin with three live seminars led by Samuel Bolton, JSS educator and past competitor, who will share his deep knowledge of these fascinating spirits, as well cultural insights and in-depth training across three UK cities. Each seminar will be followed by a walk-around tasting experience, inviting attendees to taste the Honkaku Shochu and Awamori…