Iwa 5 Reserves Junmai Daiginjo Sake, Japan

IWA 5 Assemblage 5 Junmai Daiginjo is one of the most ambitious luxury sake projects in the world, a modern, ultra-premium sake created by Richard Geoffroy after his 28-year tenure at Dom Perignon. Produced at his brewery in Shiraiwa, Toyama, it applies the Champagne concept of assemblage blending multiple base components for complexity and harmony to Japanese sake. 

Assemblage 5 is crafted from three elite rice varieties Yamada Nishiki, Omachi, and Gohyakumangoku polished to 35%, fermented with multiple yeast strains, and blended with reserve sake to build depth and texture. The result is a layered, highly polished Junmai Daiginjo with aromas of pear, plum, raspberry, rose petals, jasmine, pine, and white pepper, followed by a palate that moves from silky richness into a dry, mineral finish accented by citron zest, licorice, and gentle spice.

IWA 5 Reserves represents a new frontier: a blend composed entirely of older base components, all individually bottled and matured at Shiraiwa Kura over the years. Such a singular approach reflects a deep commitment to curation and patience. It relies on a growing patrimony of sakes at different stages of maturation, ranging from two to seven years. The average age of the blend is at least four and a half years. Once in the final bottle, Reserves continues to evolve and improve for many years to go.