Imagine green mountains with a crystal clear river flowing down them, now imagine Tenjaku Whisky.
Tenjaku whisky includes the Japanese character of the lark (hibari), the much-loved herald of spring in the East and West, and of this masterfully blended whisky.
Enviroment
Tenjaku is created in the city of Fuefuki, located in the eastern part of the Kofu Basin in Yamanashi Prefecture. This fertile land encircled by soaring peaks, with the Chichibu mountains rising to the north and the Misaka range to the south, is renowned as Japan’s top peach and grape producing region. Looking towards Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps, it is a place blessed with boundless nature, with verdant forests, beautiful orchards, hot springs, and crystal clear streams.
The Pure Water of Fuefuki
Water can be said to be the “soul” of whisky. Fuefuki sits atop an alluvial fan system into which the excellent natural water from the Misaka mountain range flows.
It is from 250 meters below this land that pure underground water is drawn. Filtered through porous volcanic rock, it is perfect for dilution when creating blended whiskies.
Velvety-smooth, slightly alkaline in nature.
The moderate mineral content present in the water creates a whisky that is smooth and easy-to-drink and a well-balanced flavour.
Blending Technique
Drawing together the individual characteristics of each unprocessed whisky for a harmonious, exquisitely balanced finish – this is the delicate blending technique that is unique to Japan.
With countless tasting and smelling sessions, the important processes involved in creating a blend see sophisticated techniques employed by a craftsman who applies his experience in creating whiskies and extensive knowledge of flavours and aromas cultivated through many years of winemaking.
Kenji Watanabe: a name renowned throughout the Japanese whisky and winemaking world from the 1990s and throughout the 2000s. Watanabe bases his philosophy on never losing focus – “be generous with time for your craft.” Fully leveraging his past experience in creating whiskies and numerous award-winning wines, he is currently the master blender for Tenjaku and a number of other brands.
Enjoy
Best enjoyed on the rocks. Experience the smooth and pleasant attack and Tenjaku’s unique mellowness, followed by a generous sweet aftertaste. Try a highball to open up the sweet, smoky aroma that bursts from the soda bubbles. Of course, it can also be served mizuwari style – savour the affinity this whisky has with water. Or, perhaps explore other drinking styles, such as using Tenjaku as a cocktail base.
Rich, full-bodied malt flavours are expertly harmonized, with a grain taste that is toned down but freely allowed to express its individual characteristics. An exquisite balance that forms a clean, timeless blend.
