Japan’s Tenkyo Distillery will release Kaze 921 First Edition 2026, a limited-edition blended whisky, on 21 September 2026. The launch marks the birthday of the distillery’s late founder, Shunsuke Koike, with only 921 bottles produced.
The distillery, located in Bandai, Fukushima Prefecture, will release a new Kaze 921 edition each year on 21 September to commemorate Koike’s birthday.
Koike began exploring whisky maturation in the Aizu region before Tenkyo Distillery was completed. He sourced new make spirit from three distilleries in Scotland and filled 189 casks across 58 different cask types.
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READ THE STORY"It was an exploration of how spirit, cask, climate and time could shape a whisky unique to this place," the distillery said.
A small quantity was later drawn from each cask and incorporated into the Kaze Solera System. Several casks with "particularly exceptional character" were set aside.
This year’s edition is centered on two richly matured Pedro Ximénez sherry casks – one American oak and one European oak – married with the Kaze Solera System matured in Aizu.
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"Only 921 bottles have been produced. It is a blend that will never be repeated," the distillery stated.
The release also features traditional Aizu craftsmanship. Its label is made using Izugahara washi paper, incorporating barley straw from Aizu-grown barley and finished with traditional letterpress printing.
Each cork stopper is hand finished using an Aizu lacquerware technique known as ishime-nuri. The bottle is presented in a luxury presentation box.
Bottled at 61.7% ABV, the 700ml whisky is presented at natural color, natural strength and non-chill filtered. It is priced at ¥27,500 including tax (US$186 / £138).
According to the brand’s official tasting notes, the amber whisky offers a nose of "maple syrup, spiced nuts and dark cherries wrapped in chocolate." The palate is "rich and full-bodied yet juicy," leading to a long finish with "sweet maple syrup and peppery spice."
Tenkyo Distillery was founded by Koike (1993–2022) and began full-scale whisky production in 2024. Kaze Founder’s Reserve Legacy, the brand’s core expression, was first released in July 2025.
The whisky is available from 21 September 2026 through the Tenkyo online shop and the Yukkura direct-sales shop at the distillery.
