A challenge of the finest quality

Singapore Sake Challenge 2024
Application rules

Event Outline
Objectives
The Singapore Sake Challenge, held in collaboration with Singapore Life & Liquor Pte. Ltd., wasestablished by the Sake Sommelier Association as part of the Sake Challenge project. Utilising ourworld-renowned Sake Sommeliers and Sake Educators as judges, this event is a great chance forcompetitors to enter the Southeast Asian market and expand their established market in Japan.
The goal of the Singapore Sake Challenge is to spread ‘how sake is wonderful’ to Singapore aswell as other Asian countries. We also aim to open up new markets by pairing sake with local
dishes and culture. Alongside recognising and honouring sake of outstanding quality; theSingapore Sake Challenge sets out to:

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Provide all Entrants with an independent evaluation of their products.
Effectively introduce quality sake into a relatively unexploited market full of potential.
Promote the quality, diversity and excellence of the award-winning sake entries.
Encourage the expansion of sake internationally.
Reinforce consumer appreciation of sake outside of Japan.
Use the international nature of the competition to maximise awareness of the awardwinning sake entries in Japan and abroad.

JudgesWe believe that judging sake is as difficult as assessing wine. For that reason all of our judges haveearned their Certified Sake Sommelier qualification. In order to judge taste and quality from aninternational perspective, qualified Sake Sommeliers based in Singapore and neighboring Asian
countries will be selected. Therefore, many renowned experts from the food and beverage industry
are included as judges. At the Singapore Sake Challenge, we take pride in our passion andknowledge of sake and approach sake with the same love & respect as a master brewer would.

Judging Criteria
Each Sake Entry is scored individually and not comparatively when tasted. After the professional
blind tasting, each sake is also judged on its quality of label and packaging. In order to guarantee afully objective judgment, the judges score based on the following criteria; and then the platinum,gold, silver, and bronze awards are given based on the overall score.
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The intensity, appearance, type, and brilliance of the sake
The bouquet and the aroma
The flavor and taste, the combined impact of the nose and the palate
The elegance of the packaging is also judged, to give a final, overall, appraisal of theEntry
Scores are then indicated by a number of stars, ranging from 0 – 10.
These numbers reflect the following:
0 Stars(Does not meet the standard of the Challenge),
1-2 Stars(Fair) ,3-4 Stars(Good),
5-6 Stars(Very Good),
7-8 Stars(Highly Recommended),
9-10 Stars (Outstanding)

Advantages of Entering the Singapore Sake Challenge
1.

The Sake Challenge competitions held every year around the world are judged by selected
professionals from the local markets of each country. Connecting with a local audience ispart of the beauty of this competition: not only being assessed by local experts, but also
providing a recognisable award for development in these overseas markets.

2.

Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be given to Entrants based on the overall
score of the above "judgment criteria''. Awarded Entrants will then receive 250
complementary award stickers, at their appropriate award level, ready to be affixed tobottles of the relevant Sake. If Entrants need more stickers, please enquire via email. Award
winning Entrants can also receive the stickers’ electronic data if they wish.

3.

Entrants of all award levels will be sent an evaluation report, in English, of their products to
help Entrants successfully introduce their sake into the market.

4.

All the sake and products which are entered into the Singapore Sake Challenge will beshowcased at the following “Japan Life” event. This is an opportunity to introduce theaward-winning sake to buyers and wholesalers in the local beverage industry; as well as ourguests, the general public.

5.

Each awarded product will be showcased through official social media channels and official
website to ensure maximum exposure to new customers.

Japan Life
After the diligent judging at the Sake Challenge, the “Japan Life” event will be held to introduce newcustomers to sake and Japanese culture. All the sake and products which are entered into theSingapore Sake Challenge will be showcased; which provides a great opportunity to promote thesake to buyers and wholesalers in the local beverage industry. This is an event that welcomes thegeneral public to become more familiar with and enjoy the sake too. Producers, Sake Sommeliers
and wholesalers on different platforms can meet and strengthen their networks.

Terms and Conditions
I.

Organiser
The Singapore Sake Challenge is co-organised by Sake Sommelier Association Sommelier
headquarters and Life & Liquor Pte. Ltd.
Website: https://singaporesakechallenge.com/
Email: info@singaporesakechallenge.com

II.

GeneralBy submitting your Entry Sake into this Competition; you, the Entrant, agree to bebound by these Terms and Conditions.
2. Entry instructions form part of these Terms and Conditions. Entries submitted withincomplete information, or found to contain invalid information, shall be deemedinvalid Entries. No responsibility will be accepted for any Entries that are lost, delayed,or damaged for any reason whatsoever. Proof of sending will not be accepted as proofof receipt, and no refund of costs will be given. The Organiser reserves the right tocancel, amend, terminate or temporarily suspend the Competition at any time with noliability to any entrant or any third party.
4. The Organiser, and its associated companies, accept no liability for any loss, expense ordamage which is suffered or sustained (whether or not arising from any person’snegligence) in connection with the Competition, other than such liability that cannot beexcluded by the law including death or personal injury through negligence.
5. The Organiser’s decision in all matters relating to the Competition is final and binding
and no correspondence will be entered into.
1.

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III.

This Competition is subject to the laws of Singapore.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Entering in the Competition is open to all producers, distributors, exporters,consultants and importers of Sake.
2. Sake made by all methods and types can be entered into the Competition (Futsushu,Honjozo, Junmai, Ginjo, Junmai Ginjo, Daiginjo, Junmai Daiginjo, Koshu, wine produced
in Japan etc.). We welcome all unique styles of Sake and Japanese wine. Alcohol
percentage should be below 20% to be entered into the competition.
3. Standard 2 x 720ml bottles for each entry. A total amount of 1440ml entered asminimum, ex. 5x 300ml bottles. *Each bottle must be less than 1L.
4. Each entry must be filled out and submitted in the Product Form. All products
submitted will become the property of the Organisers.

IV.

Entry Fee

1. Each Entry product submitted to the Competition is subject to a 57,000yen Entry fee.
2. Payment of the Entry Fee can be made via direct bank transfer to the Organiser’s nominatedaccount, credit card, PayPal or international remittance service such as Wise, through theOrganisers website (https://www.singaporeSakechallenge.com/)
3. The Organisers will not be liable for any charges resulting from payment of the Entry Fee.
4. All Entry Fees are non-refundable in the event of the withdrawal of the Entry.

V.

How to enter
1. The Entry registration form should be submitted from the official website by Friday 13th
September 2024. If you have 7 or more Entries, or if you find it difficult to apply online, it isalso possible to send the Product Form filled out for each Sake to be exhibited to theOrganiser by e-mail and remit the registration fee.
2. Sample Sake should be submitted to The Organiser in Singapore directly by the Friday 27th
September 2024. For shipping inside Japan, entrants can send their Sake samples to thedesignated address for export to Singapore, between 11th-15th September, within thedesignated timeframe of 12:00-18:00. Entrants are responsible for covering the domestic
shipping costs to the designated address within Japan. the Organisers are responsible for all
costs such as exporting postage to Singapore, customs duties, VAT and any other relevant
fee like inland logistics or storage in Singapore.
3. The Organiser reserves the right to decline any entries submitted after the deadline.

VI.

Entry from outside Japan
1. Entrants are responsible for shipping costs, insurance and any other expenses for shipping
their Sake samples.
2. The Organiser will pay for the storage, Singapore customs clearance and taxes.
3. The Entrants are obligated to complete the shipping procedure for their sample Sake by theabove deadline.

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Cancellation
Entrants can cancel the registration by sending an email to the Organiser, which must
include the names of the Sake and the Entrants. In this instance, the registration fee will not
be refunded and any Sake that has already been sent will not be returned.

VIII.

Award Winning Sake Entries
1. The Organiser will award Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in each Sake category(Awards), Winners will be announced by the official website as well as by email.
2. Entrants that submit Award Winning Sake Entries agree that the Organiser may publish
details and particulars of the Entries and advertise them.
3. Reference by Entrants to an Award must always be accompanied by the official award level(Platinum – Platinum, Gold - Kin, Silver - Gin) and reference to the year of the award.
4. Awards are granted to particular products, not to the Entrants or their companies.
5. Entrants agree that they will only use the Organisers and Competition names, logos andAwards to promote specific Winning Entries.
6. Entrants agree that they will cease to use the Organisers and Competition names, logos andAwards at any time upon 14 days’ notice from the Organisers requiring them to do so.
7. The Organisers logo is the property of the Organiser and any unauthorized use, reproductionor alteration is strictly prohibited.