Über einen recht interessanten Whisky hat uns Blair Bowman, Whiskyautor und -Consultant sowie Board Advisor der Tenkyo Distillery in Aizu, Japan informiert: Der KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY ist ein Blended Whisky, der zur Gänze in Japan reifte, geblendet und abgefüllt wurde. Aber: sein New Make, ob nun Malt oder Grain) stammt ausschließlich aus Schottland und wird nun in einem Solera-System mit 189 Fässern und dabei 58 verschiedenen Fassarten immer wieder neu abgefüllt werden.
Zur Zeit ist der KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY nur in Japan erhältlich (er kostet dort umgerechnet 50 Euro pro Flasche), aber die Aussendung betont „currently“ und „at this time“ – also darf man darauf hoffen, dass der Blend auch den Weg zu uns nach Europa finden wird.
Hier jedenfalls die Info zum Whisky, der zu Ehren des im Alter von 28 Jahren verstorbenen Gründers Shunsuke Koike kreiert wurde:
| Presseartikel | Für den Inhalt ist das Unternehmen verantwortlich |
KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY – Official Launch Announcement
Tenkyo Distillery honours the legacy of late founder Shunsuke Koike with the launch of KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY — a unique blend matured and bottled in Aizu, uniting Scottish spirit with Japanese craftsmanship.
A wind that never fades — a memory that lives on in every drop.
Tenkyo Co., Ltd. (Tenkyo Distillery), located in Bandai Town, Aizu, Japan, is delighted to announce the release of KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY, available from 6th July 2025.
This product originates from maturation trials undertaken by the late founder, Shunsuke Koike, in Aizu prior to the construction of the distillery. By bringing new make spirit from Scotland together with the natural environment of Aizu, and after repeated experimentation with 189 carefully selected casks, this unique blended whisky was born.
The result is a whisky born from the meeting of „winds“ – the wind of Scotland, the wind of Aizu, and the spirit of Shunsuke Koike – united to create a profile unlike anything imagined. This character is carried forward through a unique solera system, allowing the whisky to continue evolving, much like an ever-blowing wind.
- “KAZE” (風), pronounced kah-zeh [ˈka̠ .ze̞ ], means “wind” in Japanese.
- KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY is currently available exclusively in Japan at this time.
KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY 700ml
KAZE Founder’s Reserve LEGACY is a blended whisky matured, blended, and bottled at the foot of Mt. Bandai in Aizu, Japan. Crafted using a bespoke solera system*, each release will carry forward the legacy of 189 casks – filled with Scottish new make spirit (both malt and grain) personally selected by the late founder, Shunsuke Koike.
Neither Scotch whisky nor Japanese whisky. Born in Scotland, raised in Aizu, Japan. A fusion of culture and terroir, connected by EN (縁).
The 189 casks were laid down as part of a bold maturation project while Tenkyo Distillery was still under construction. With 58 different cask types, it was a visionary exploration of oak, spirit, and future possibility.
The KAZE Founder’s Reserve solera system draws directly from these original casks, ensuring his memory lives on in every drop. The first expression is named LEGACY – a quiet tribute to his enduring vision.
Tasting Notes Colour: Amber
Nose: Raisins, figs, white chocolate, brown sugar, wrapped in gentle spices and a touch of smokiness
Palate: Toffee, nuts, almonds, meet juicy apricots, combined with a gentle smokiness to create depth and complexity
Finish: Subtle bitterness and cigar-like notes balance with a warming sweetness, leaving a pleasant and long lasting finish
Volume: 700ml
ABV**: 46.9%
Suggested retail price: ¥8,250 (tax included)
