Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) April 4, 2011

Kai Vodka LLC (http://www.kaivodka.com) today announced that its four new Kai products all won top honors at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Most notable are the accolades awarded to its Kai Shochu/Soju line extension – two Double Gold Medals and a Best in Show distinction.

Since its debut in 2007, Kai has been an unparalleled player in the spirits market. Distinguishing itself as the first ultra-premium rice vodka, and gaining further prominence in the flavors category as the first lychee flavored vodka, Kai’s story remains unique with new expansion.

This year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition assessed 1106 spirits from 61 countries. Of all the shochu tasted, Kai Young Coconut Shochu/Soju and Kai Lemongrass Ginger Shochu/Soju were the only products to win the highly-esteemed “Double Gold Medal.” Furthermore, Kai Young Coconut Shochu/Soju won “Best Shochu” in show, surpassing its Korean and Japanese competitors. Kai Shochu/Soju is distilled in Vietnam.

A traditional distilled spirit in Asia, Shochu (Japanese term) / Soju (Korean term) has taken off in popularity throughout the United States. Just-Drinks.com states that shochu is the second fastest growing spirits category, after vodka. Recent trends have shown that shochu sales are surpassing sake sales. Served straight up, on the rocks, or as a highball with carbonated water, Kai Shochu/Soju can be appreciated as a lower-alcohol spirit. In markets such as California and New York, accounts with beer and wine licenses will be able to serve Kai Shochu/Soju, as spirits with 24% alcohol by volume are permissible.

Kai Lemongrass Ginger Shochu/Soju and Kai Young Coconut Shochu/Soju (with coconut water) provide a memorable and sensual flavor experience. There is no shochu/soju like it. Lemongrass Ginger and Coconut are Pan-Asian flavors that maintain the dignity of this Asian spirit.

Maintaining Kai Lychee Vodka’s legacy as the first “lychee martini in a bottle,” Kai Lemongrass Vodka and Kai Coconut Pandan Vodka are also martinis in a bottle. The Asian flavors of Kai Vodka cannot be found elsewhere. 100 flavored vodkas were tested at the competition this year. Kai Coconut Pandan Vodka and Kai Lemongrass Vodka won Gold and Bronze Medals, respectively. All four Kai flavored vodkas are triple distilled using a rare variety of rice called Yellow Blossom which is grown exclusively in the small villages along the Red River Delta.

Marcus Bender, Managing Director of KAI, commented, “I am confident that the unique flavor profiles offered by Kai will be appreciated by those who enjoy experiencing new tropical Asian flavors. The various medals, including two Double Golds, evidence the fact that Kai tastes perfect right out of the bottle.”

For more information please contact Business Relations Manager, Amy Bender, at amy(at)kaivodka(dot)com.

More about KAI

KAI, based in Hawaii, is a developer, marketer and supplier of ultra-premium spirits. Its flagship brands, launched in 2007, are Kai Vodka and Kai Lychee Vodka. Kai’s line extension, available for distribution next month, includes: Kai Coconut Pandan Vodka, 35% ABV, Kai Lemongrass Vodka, 35% ABV, Kai Young Coconut Shochu/Soju, 24% ABV and Kai Lemongrass Ginger Shochu/Soju, 24% ABV. Distribution of Kai Vodka is growing rapidly and it is now available in most major US markets as well as internationally in Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. http://www.kaivodka.com