IWC SAKE Competition

About

Since launching its dedicated SAKE division in 2007, the International Wine Challenge (IWC) has played a defining role in taking sake to the world. Today, the IWC SAKE Competition is the largest, most influential, and most internationally recognised sake judging platform outside Japan. It is widely regarded as the benchmark competition for breweries seeking global visibility, objective assessment, and export growth.

For almost two decades, the IWC has collaborated closely with hundreds of breweries, regional associations and prefectural governments across Japan. This long-standing partnership has helped transform the global perception of sake, expanding international understanding of categories, driving higher quality, and opening new markets. Some breweries describe the IWC as one of the single most important catalysts for sake's "internationalisation".

Because the IWC created a dedicated SAKE division judged only against other sake, breweries finally gained a fair, peer-to-peer global stage. As a result, the overall quality of sake entered has risen dramatically — many experts say the improvement "has gone through the roof".

The partnership has extended far beyond judging. The IWC has delivered major promotional initiatives, including the Drink Japan series of events in the UK, showcasing breweries to importers, press and consumers, and actively helping medal-winning sake secure international listings. This combination of competition, exposure and trade support has made the IWC a trusted platform for breweries aiming to grow both domestic reputation and export success.

Why Enter the IWC SAKE Competition?

Breweries enter the IWC to:
• Benchmark their sake on an international stage against peers from across Japan and the world
• Gain global visibility, with medal results reaching international press, importers and consumers
• Increase brand value and credibility across domestic and export markets
• Boost sales by using the internationally recognised IWC medal logos
• Benefit from millions of pounds' worth of free publicity through the IWC's media reach and trade network

IWC 2025 SAKE Competition Calendar

(IWC can adapt formatting to match the house style — below is clean and structured)

Closing date for online entries:
Japan: 14 March 2025
Outside Japan: 14 March 2025

Courier delivery deadline:
25 March 2025

Japan consolidated container shipping deadline:
4 March 2025

Sake judging (medals):
14–17 April 2025

Sake trophy judging:
18 April 2025

Medal announcement:
20 May 2025

Trophy announcement:
27 May 2025

Awards Dinner:
9 September 2025

Entry Fees

Online entry: ¥36,180 per sake
Discovery Tasting: Additional ¥16,200 per sake

Navigation

Category to Enter
Rules of Entry
Shipping Sake
Judging & Awards
Judges
Discovery Tasting
Photos

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