In the hush of Shimada’s misted tea fields, a tea for unhurried evenings and thoughtful pauses slowly takes form.
Whiskey Oak Smoked Black Tea by Kaneroku Matsumoto-en is not just a tea; it is the expression of generations. The Matsumoto family has tended their tea gardens on the fertile Makinohara Plateau of Shizuoka since the Edo era, practising the historic chagusaba method, where grasses are cut, dried, and spread across the fields to nourish the earth and protect biodiversity. This centuries-old agricultural wisdom, recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, gives the tea its vitality and depth.
Inspired by the ancient craft of smoke-flavoured teas yet guided by his own vision, third-generation tea farmer Hiroki Matsumoto pioneered Japan’s first domestically smoked black teas, creating a new chapter in Japanese tea culture.
In this remarkable blend, hand-picked black tea leaves are infused with the memory of wood from Japanese whisky barrels once aged to perfection. The smoke breathes warmth into the leaf, lifting notes of oak, subtle sweetness, and depth that linger like a quiet conversation by warm firelight.
This distinctive smoked tea has earned international recognition, including a Silver Medal at the International Tea Tasting Competition, honouring its balance and originality.
This tea carries no added flavourings, only leaf, oak, and time. Brew a cup slowly and let each sip unfold like a memory — rich, slow, and beautifully singular.
Brewing Ritual:
Combine 3g of leaves with 150ml of water at 95°C. Pour with care and steep for 2.5 minutes, allowing the notes of smoke and oak to open softly in the cup.
For iced tea, use 15g of leaves to 1L of water. Let it rest and infuse in the refrigerator for 2 hours, unhurried and undisturbed. Strain, chill, and sip slowly.
Pairing Notes:
Best enjoyed with cheeses of mild to medium strength such as Gruyère, Camembert, or Comté, where their creaminess and gentle nuttiness meet the tea’s soft smoke and oak. A handful of nuts or dried berries also pairs beautifully, drawing out the tea’s warmth and gentle oak.
An invitation to linger just a little longer at the table.