New Release: Tenkyo Launches KAZE 921 First Edition 2026

New Release: Tenkyo Launches KAZE 921 First Edition 2026

Tenkyo Distillery in Aizu, Japan, is releasing Tenkyo Kaze 921 First Edition 2026 on 21 September, the opening release in a new annual series limited to 921 bottles a year. The number marks the birthday of Tenkyo's founder, the late Shunsuke Koike, who would have turned 33 on the release date.

Design and Presentation

The bottle carries a handmade washi label made with straw from Aizu-grown barley, and the top of the stopper is individually finished with traditional Aizu lacquerware. Both details tie the release to the region where the whisky was matured, blended and bottled.

The Story Behind KAZE 921

Before Tenkyo Distillery was built, Koike began exploring how whisky might mature in Aizu's climate. He sourced new make spirit from three distilleries in Scotland and filled 189 casks across 58 different cask types, studying how spirit, wood, climate and time would shape a whisky unique to the region. A small quantity from each cask was later incorporated into the KAZE Solera System, and several casks that showed exceptional character were quietly set aside. Each year going forward, KAZE 921 will be a unique blend drawn from the casks Koike filled, released in exactly 921 bottles on his birthday, and the blend will never be repeated.

Maturation and Flavor Profile

The First Edition 2026 is built around two richly matured Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, one American oak and one European oak, married with the KAZE Solera System nurtured in Aizu. It's distilled in Scotland and matured, blended and bottled in Aizu, Japan, bottled at natural strength and natural colour, non-chill filtered, at 61.7% ABV. The nose brings maple syrup, spiced nuts, dark cherries wrapped in chocolate, lemon peel and shiso, while the palate offers candied dried fruits, maple-coated spiced nuts, Sichuan pepper and citrus peel.

Release and Availability

Tenkyo Kaze 921 First Edition 2026 is limited to 921 bottles at 700 ml, priced at 25,000 Japanese yen excluding tax and available from 21 September 2026. It's listed on Spiritory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tenkyo Kaze 921 First Edition 2026?

It's the first release in Tenkyo Distillery's new annual KAZE 921 series, a blended whisky distilled in Scotland and matured, blended and bottled in Aizu, Japan, at 61.7% ABV.

Why is the series called KAZE 921?

The number 921 marks 21 September, the birthday of Tenkyo's founder, the late Shunsuke Koike. Each year's KAZE 921 release is limited to 921 bottles and launches on that date.

What casks make up the First Edition 2026?

It's built around two Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, one American oak and one European oak, married with the KAZE Solera System that Koike began nurturing before the distillery was built.

How many bottles were made and what does it cost?

It's limited to 921 bottles at 700 ml, priced at 25,000 Japanese yen excluding tax.

When is it available?

Tenkyo Kaze 921 First Edition 2026 became available from 21 September 2026, and is listed on Spiritory.