SAKE HUNDRED's 'Byakko Betsuatsurae' Wins Yamagata Trophy and 'Niko' Wins Niigata Trophy at IWC 2026 SAKE Division

The sake brand 'SAKE HUNDRED' (operated by Clear Inc. / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and CEO: Ryuji Ikoma) announced that its flagship 'Byakko Betsuatsurae' won the Yamagata Trophy in the Junmai Daiginjo category, and 'Niko' won the Niigata Trophy in the Futsu-shu category at the SAKE division of the 'IWC (International Wine Challenge) 2026', with results announced on Friday, May 22, 2026. Furthermore, all SAKE HUNDRED products received awards.

Operating with the purpose to 'satisfy the heart and color life' for people worldwide, the sake brand 'SAKE HUNDRED' achieved the Yamagata Trophy in the Junmai Daiginjo category for 'Byakko Betsuatsurae' and the Niigata Trophy in the Futsu-shu category for 'Niko' at the SAKE division of the world's largest wine competition, 'IWC (International Wine Challenge) 2026'.

'Byakko Betsuatsurae' is the flagship of SAKE HUNDRED, realizing overwhelming transparency and high-quality taste by carefully polishing the raw rice to an 18% polishing ratio over more than 200 hours. Using 'Yamada Nishiki', often called the 'king of sake rice', it pursues a balance of sweetness, umami, and acidity. It is a bottle that enhances its potential as a food-pairing sake.

The IWC judges evaluated the taste of 'Byakko Betsuatsurae' as follows:

'Strawberry banana, cotton candy, Florida orange, peach compote, elderflower, marzipan and cinnamon. Rich style that benefits from low temperature, asking with complexity and elegant oxidation Marshmallow-marzipan.'

'Niko', which also won the Niigata Trophy, is the brand's symbolic second flagship. The name embodies the idea of 'two feelings overlapping and tying a bond'. It is a brand that expresses the 'light of connection' suitable for special moments when hearts are united, such as expressing gratitude to loved ones or celebrating encounters.

The IWC judges evaluated the taste of 'Niko' as follows:

'A nose of jackfruit, Muscat and lemon soda has a wonderful fruity palate with great minerality and hints of cotton candy on the zesty finish.'

In addition, all SAKE HUNDRED lineups have received medals as follows:

- 'Byakko' Junmai Daiginjo category: Gold Medal - 'Amairo' Junmai category: Silver Medal - 'Shinsei' Sparkling category: Silver Medal - 'Hakuso' Sparkling category: Silver Medal - 'Gengai' Koshu category: Silver Medal - 'Raihi' Jukuseishu category: Silver Medal - 'Shirin' Junmai Daiginjo category: Bronze Medal

The IWC SAKE division was established in 2007 and is considered one of the largest and most influential sake judging events held outside of Japan. While IWC is held annually in London, the 2026 event was held in Hiroshima to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the SAKE division.