Tenjaku (70cl, 40%)

Tenjaku is a Japanese blended whisky, made by combining selected malt and grain whiskies and bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. It is reduced with spring water drawn from 250 metres below the surface at Fuefuki in Yamanashi Prefecture. The blend rests on stronger malt character with quieter grain notes. Pear and dried fruit add a gentle sweetness, while oak, white pepper and a light touch of smoke give it some spice. The name refers to the skylark, called hibari in Japanese. On the nose it is sweet with pear and dried fruit over a hint of smoke. The palate starts slightly angular before turning round and soft, and the long finish is lightly spicy with white oak and spreading sweetness.