21st September 2005

PRESS RELEASE:

WOKKA SAKi nominated for Distiller of the Year

WOKKA SAKi the ultra premium vodka saké spirit brand from the United Kingdom has this been nominated as ‘Distiller of the Year’ in the 2005 Wine Star Awards, the prestigious industry competition hosted by the USA trade title the ‘Wine Enthusiast Magazine Wine’.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine's staff selected the nominees, based on outstanding contributions to the world of wine and spirits, with particular emphasis on achievements in the year 2005.

Other nominees in the ‘Distiller of the Year’ category: Tanqueray, Johnnie Walker, Appleton Estate, Laird’s Applejack.

Anthony Foster MW, Managing Director of WOKKA SAKi commented, ‘This is wonderful news and heralds what is turning out to be a phenomenal year for the launch of our unique brand.’

Tim Day Marketing Director of WOKKA SAKi added ‘We are immensely flattered to be nominated for this award, especially being among such formidable international brands’.

The nominees will appear in the November 1 issue of the magazine, to be released in early October. The winners for this year, in each category, will be announced in mid-November. Profiles of all the award recipients will appear in the December 15 awards issue, on newsstands November 22.

Editorial note:

WOKKA SAKi 40% ABV is a blend of micro distilled British grain vodka, fine Japanese sake (80:20), and a subtle essence of Asian fruit.

Inspiration - east meets west - sake meets vodka
WOKKA SAKi represents the fusion of two cultures, inspired by the awesome beauty of legendary Snow Monsters in the landscape, found around Japan's Asahi Mountains between January and March.

The blend
A rare process of three-step micro distillation in a single, small 400 litre stainless steel pot still known as 'Tom Thumb', ensures the wheat grain vodka in WOKKA SAKi is exceptionally smooth. Fine imported Japanese honjozo-shu sake is then carefully blended with the vodka and a subtle fusion of Asian fruit is added that harnesses the character of WOKKA SAKi and gives it its distinctive flavour. This labour intensive process of single batch distillation and manual blending is reserved for only the finest and most expensive spirits. Production takes place at the 200 year old Thames Distillery in London under the expertise of master distiller, Charles Maxwell.

Unrivalled awards
WOKKA SAKi has excelled at the San Francisco International Spirits competition for three consecutive years. It won Double Gold in 2003, Gold in 2004, and now Double Gold in 2005. In blind tasting, it was judged by a panel of 21 spirits experts including leading buyers and editors. The brand was awarded the highest accolade of Double Gold, winning the flavoured vodka category, surpassing 55 other international brands

This is an unrivalled run of results in this prestigious competition, which is considered to be the most comprehensive and highly regarded in the world.

Snow Monsters
Each year between January and March, powerful winds from the Siberian plains whip the surface of the Sea of Japan, becoming heavy with freezing vapour before hitting the Japanese coast and rising high over the Asahi mountains. Standing in their path, giant conifers on the slopes of Mount Zao become coated with layer upon layer of snow and ice, until their shapes are eventually obscured and distorted. These petrified giants seem to stalk the valleys and are known as 'snow monsters' or 'Juhyo'. Their awesome beauty is celebrated at Mount Zao's annual Snow Monster festival.

WOKKA SAKi is personified by the creation of the Snow Monsters: The western wind (represented by vodka), the eastern environment (sake) and the dramatic, beautiful and unique outcome - WOKKA SAKi.

US success
The brand was launched in the US in 2005, first in Florida and then Chicago. WOKKA SAKi was listed in 960 venues within four weeks.

Quotes:
Ben Pundole - Bar manager of The Shore Club, South Beach, Florida: “The perfect fusion between sake and a spirit. Versatile, interesting, and thoroughly enjoyable.”

Roy Kelin, manager of The Delano Hotel South Beach: “… very unique in that it is elegant, urbane, and stylish all at one time … just like our guests.”

UK Launch
WOKKA SAKi launched 1st September with Harrods as part of their six week ‘Truly British’ campaign and also in selected on premise locations in London.

Quotes:
Ajaz Sheikh – Food & Beverage Manager The Lanesborough Hotel, London: “Finally, an inspiring drink worth talking about - with the market flooded with a plethora of vodkas and dare I say, wannabe Vodkas, Wokka Saki is definitely one that stands out - daring to be different"

Guiliano Moradin – Bar Manager The Dorchester Hotel, London: “A wonderful product, very clean and very smooth”

Gian-Carlo D’Urso – Bar Manager Hakkasan, London: “Wokka Saki is a refined eclectic spirit with an elegant body and soft finish; pleasant to drink neat or on ice, I am fascinated by its complexity.”

Paul Birtwistle, Bar Manager of Zuma restaurant, London: "An exceptional blend of two very different products and cultures. Inspired in both flavour and design, WOKKA SAKi should prove to be a timeless creation!"

WOKKA SAKi is a brand owned by Extreme Spirits Ltd (www.wokkasaki.com)

For trade enquiries please contact:

USA Importer, Pasternak Wine Imports: 1 800 946 3110
UK Distributor, Cellar Trends Ltd: 01283 217703

For further press information, please contact:

USA: Susan Anne Cosgrove, Pasternak Wine Imports, 1 800 946 3110 sacosgrove@pasternakwine.com
UK: Su-Lin Ong PR, 020 8747 4843, sulinong@aol.com

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