IWC Announces 2025 Sake Awards
10th September 2025
On 9th September in London, the International Wine Challenge (IWC) announced its four top sake award winners, including the IWC 2025 Champion Sake, this year’s overall victor.
The IWC sake competition is widely regarded as the most rigorous and influential competition of its kind in the world. This year’s judging took place over four days in April at The Kia Oval, London. Marking the 19th year of the sake competition since its inception in 2007, 70 of the world’s leading sake experts from 18 countries evaluated an impressive 1,476 entries under strict blind-tasting protocols and multiple rounds of group assessment.
For 2025, the competition also welcomed 20 sake brands from four countries outside Japan, including the US, UK, Vietnam, and China, reflecting the growing global reach of sake.
Announcement of the IWC 2025 Sake Trophy and Award shortlists
27th May 2025
The IWC 2025 Sake Trophies and award shortlists have been unveiled. The winners will be announced at the IWC Awards Dinner on the 9th September at the Guild Hall, London.
Details of each sake will be able to be checked on the IWC website:
www.internationalwinechallenge.com
IWC Sake Judging 2025
14-17 April 2025
Sake division at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) has grown steadily since it was founded in 2007, contributing significantly to the development of the sake market worldwide. IWC 2025 judging took place on the 14-17th of April. This year the event has moved back to sunny and spacious Kia Oval London with 70 sake judges gathered from the 18 countries to decide upon the award winners. Around 1,500 sakes were tasted during the four days.