Tenkyo Distillery KAZE 921 Blended Whisky: 921 Bottles
Fusing Scottish Spirits with Aizu Maturation: An Annual Debut Honoring the Founder's Birthday
Located in Bandai, Japan, Tenkyo Distillery has announced the debut release of its new annual limited-edition series, KAZE 921 First Edition 2026. The distillery plans to unveil a new release in this series every year on September 21 to commemorate its late founder, Shunsuke Koike, who passed away in 2022, marking his birthday. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 61.7% ABV, this blended whisky is strictly limited to 921 bottles worldwide.
PX Sherry Cask & Solera System Blending Craftsmanship
This Tenkyo Distillery blended whisky combines single malt and grain whiskies distilled in Scotland, which were subsequently transported to the Aizu region in Japan for maturation, blending, and bottling. This inaugural edition spotlights two deeply aged Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, crafted from American oak and European oak respectively. The blending team selected these two distinct casks from specially reserved stocks and meticulously married them with spirits nurtured in Aizu's KAZE Solera System.
Read More: What Is a Sherry Cask? A Complete Guide to PX, Oloroso, and Their Impact on Whisky Flavor
Official Tasting Notes
According to official tasting notes, KAZE 921 First Edition 2026 delivers aromas of maple syrup, spiced nuts, chocolate-coated dark cherries, and lemon peel on the nose, accompanied by delicate hints of shiso reminiscent of subtle pepper nuances. On the palate, rich and vibrant layers unfold with candied dried fruits, spiced nuts coated in maple syrup, Sichuan pepper, and citrus zest.
Exploring Aizu Terroir & Traditional Artisanal Design
Before Tenkyo Distillery officially opened in 2024 to commence full-scale whisky distillation, founder Shunsuke Koike had already begun exploring the maturation potential of the Aizu region. He sourced new make spirits from three Scottish distilleries and filled them into 189 casks spanning 58 different cask types, seeking to understand the dynamic interplay between spirit, wood, local climate, and time in defining a distinct local profile.
Read More: Oak Casks in Whisky: Types, Flavor Impacts, and Finishes — Why 60% of Flavor Comes from the Cask
Throughout the aging process, small portions were drawn from each of these 189 casks and introduced into the KAZE Solera System for continuous development, while several casks exhibiting extraordinary characteristics were set aside. Beyond the liquid itself, the bottle design honors traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The front label is made of Izugahara washi paper, incorporating locally grown barley straw and printed using traditional letterpress techniques. The closure features Aizu's renowned ishime-nuri lacquerware craft, hand-finished by master artisans.
📅 Release Date: 2026-09-18
🔗 Source: The Whisky Wire