Whisky Oak Smoked Black Tea

In the hush of Shimada’s misted tea fields, a tea for unhurried evenings and thoughtful pauses slowly takes form.

Whisky 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 additive-free 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. Slow down, brew a cup, and let each sip reveal itself: rich, layered, and quietly unforgettable.