Neit Whiskey teams up with Endo Kazutoshi
Irish whiskey brand Neit and Michelin-starred sushi chef Endo Kazutoshi have collaborated on a 34-year-old expression called Silent Harmony, which blurs the lines between two disciplines.
Drawing from shared philosophies, third-generation sushi master Endo Kazutoshi and Neit Whiskey have collaborated on a special single-cask expression together, titled Silent Harmony.
Neit, an Irish whiskey brand with Italian roots, has a contemporary approach to how it presents the spirit. It doesn’t shy away from tradition, rather showcasing Ireland’s distilling heritage side-by-side with innovation for a new generation of drinkers. The focus is on storytelling and cask experimentation, shared through collaborations such as Silent Harmony with the Michelin-starred chef.
Hailing from Yokohama, Japan, Kazutoshi presides over some of London’s most respected sushi restaurants, including his flagship venue, Endo at the Rotunda.
The chef’s pursuit of excellence, dedication to craftsmanship, deep respect for tradition and impressive patience made him a natural partner for Neit in crafting a spirit together. It also helps that Kazutoshi is a whiskey aficionado, too.
Neit Whiskey launched in the UK earlier in the year and founders Francesco and Luca Fracassi wanted to demonstrate their intent. “We wanted to showcase the brand’s ethos through a unique collaboration that demonstrated the evolution of what a whiskey brand can be,” the pair said.
“A natural shared experience for most individuals is creating memories over a meal, and chef Endo Kazutoshi immediately came to mind – not only as London’s top sushi master, but also as an individual who is passionate about whiskey.”
The single cask whiskey was triple distilled in 1991 and matured for the full 34 years in a Bourbon barrel. The liquid’s decades spent resting in quiet “reflects the belief that what matters most often happens in silence,” the brand said.
The whiskey opens with the nose, where drinkers might find aromas of apple blossom, honeysuckle and a bouquet of flowers, which are reminiscent of the fields of west Ireland. On the palate, flavours include dried fruits, honey apricot tarte tatin, peach chutney, wild herbs – underpinned by a minty freshness. The finish is described as ‘elegant’ and ‘complex’ and lingers with dried hay, herbal complexity and a saline lift.
“We found natural synergy between chef Kazutoshi and Neit,” Francesco and Luca Fracassi said. “Chef Kazutoshi follows a philosophy of precision, discipline and respect for tradition, which perfectly complements our intention and originality while maintaining the traditions of Irish whiskey.”
A spirit defined by subtlety
The look of the Silent Harmony bottle also reflects Kazutoshi’s eye for detail, as well as Neit’s interest in the world’s of design and fashion, of which the Neit’s founders are looking to increase the brand’s presence.
Inspired by Japanese ceramics, the bottle features deep hues and refined textures, balancing heritage with contemporary design. It also echoes how Kazutoshi presents his sushi, which blends the past with the present.
“Neit’s focus on design allowed us to customise the design of the bottle and one-of-a-kind box to evoke the meticulous nature of Japanese craftsmanship. What has resulted is a beautiful, limited edition single malt Irish whiskey that bridges cultures, past and present,” Francesco and Luca Fracassi said.
Silent Harmony is bottled at natural colour and non-chill filtered. Due to the one-off nature of the release, just 185 numbered bottles are available, each priced at £2,995 (US$4,000).
“Neit was originally born out of our shared obsession with design, beauty, and the art of reinvention. We saw that there was untapped potential for Irish whiskey, something so steeped in tradition that also had a modern versatility,” the founders added.
“Since launching the brand, our aim has always been to push boundaries to create a new kind of luxury defined by bold experiences and shared moments.”
To enquire about Silent Harmony or for more information about Neit Whiskey, visit www.neit.io.
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