TY KU
 | |
| Privately held | |
| Industry | Beverages |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | New York, New York |
| Products | Sake and spirits |
| Slogan | Drink Extraordinary |
| Website | trytyku.com |
TY KU /taɪkuː/ is an American alcoholic beverage company that specializes in sake and other spirits. The privately held company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in New York City, New York. While based in New York, TY KU's beverages are made in Japan through a joint venture with two sake breweries.[1] Since 2011, TY KU's growth has extended its products into all 50 states.
History
While working on a graduate school project together at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University in 2003, co-founders Kirk Spahn and Trenton Ulicny were inspired as athletes to create a health-conscious drink that would allow them to indulge while still maintaining their bodies. With the encouragement of their professor, the two marketed their idea and the company was then founded in 2004.
The inspiration to target Asian wines and spirits came when Spahn, as a history major at Dartmouth College, learned the importance of drinking traditions in Asian culture as he sampled Sake in China, Tibet, and Japan, as part of a program with the New York Museum of Natural History. With that, the two bootstrapped it at the start and spent 4 years flying back and forth to Asia for research. Since its inception, the company has made it a goal to educate American consumers on Japanese sake and spirits using social media initiatives and a branded presence at popular youth-driven events such as South by Southwest.
Products
TY KU's brands include Sake Silver, Sake Black, Sake White, Coconut Sake, Citrus Liqueur, and Soju. The drinks are bottled in triangular packaging.
TY KU launched their first product TY KU Citrus Liqueur, on June 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The liqueur packaged in a bottle that gives off a bright green glow, was made from ingredients such as yuzu, goji berries, and mangosteen.
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TY KU Sake Silver | Premium | Junmai: Polished › 30% |
| TY KU Sake Black | Super Premium | Junmai Ginjo: Polished › 40% |
| TY KU Sake White | Ultra Premium | Junmai Daiginjo: Polished › 50% |
| TY KU Coconut Sake | Premium Nigori | Junmai Nigori: Polished › 30% |
| TY KU Soju | Premium Nigori | TY KU Soju: 60 calories |
| TY KU Citrus Liqueur | Premium Nigori | TY KU Citrus: 65 calories - First product |
Awards
| Award | Product | Awarding Body | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold Medal | TY KU Soju | WSWA Tasting Competition | 2012 |
| Double Gold Medal | TY KU Sake White | S.F. Int'l Wine Competition | 2010 |
| Platinum Medal | TY KU Sake Silver | World Wine Competition | 2010 |
| Gold Medal | TY KY Citrus Liqueur | L.A. Int'l Spirits Competition | - |
Celebrity partnerships
TY KU currently has a number of celebrity investors that the company has announced. In October 2010, the company announced Perez Hilton as investor and equity partner. In addition, Hilton took on the role of Director of Culture and Trends.[2] TY KU also announced in March 2012 Patti Stanger, as an owner and partner. Stanger is also a part of TY KU's day-to-day business, working to extend the brand's exposure.
Other investors include Ne-Yo, Todd English, Brian Vickers and Dhani Jones.[2] In April 2012 Cee Lo Green became an owner and spokesperson for the brand.[3]