Heavensake Brings French Avant-Garde To Japanese Tradition
The sake house debuts its finest to local sommeliers and bartenders with an immersive tasting experience.
When the Romans swept across what is now France by the fifth century, they carried with them seeds and viticultural know-how, identifying favourable slopes, well-drained soils and optimal vines. Their passion for wine helped seed a culture of cultivation across Western Europe—including Champagne, birthplace of the eponymous sparkling wine. Over time, the region’s bubbly effervescence—once considered a flaw by the Champenois—became a hallmark, refined through the assemblage technique, which blends different wines into a precise cuvée. Centuries later, that lineage meets an unexpected counterpart across the globe, where European method encounters Eastern terroir for a taste of heaven.
Co-founded in 2016 by Swiss entrepreneur Carl Hirschmann and Régis Camus—the celebrated former cellar master of Piper-Heidsieck—Heavensake weaves Japan’s centuries-old brewing tradition with the elegance of French champagne-making. Through assemblage, Camus layers distinct sake components in collaboration with master toujis (chief brewers in sake breweries), revealing new flavours and perfumes with an ultra-silken finish. Among the house’s highlights, the Label Noir—crafted with the storied Niizawa Brewery—stands as a testament to this artistry. Lauded by sommeliers, this Junmai Daiginjo delivers floral delicacy, refined minerality and a poised, fruit-driven richness on the palate, all while presenting a finish so smooth it glides down the throat with ease.
Unveiled at ENSŌ Izakaya & Bar at Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown, the brand’s Malaysian debut catered to discerning palates, led by Heavensake Regional Ambassador and 2018 Sake Sommelier of the Year, Joshua Kalinan. Guests enjoyed a guided exploration of the portfolio, including the fruity, spring-esque Label Azur, the bright and savoury Junmai 12 and, of course, the star of the evening, the Label Noir.
“Heavensake is more than a drink—it’s an emotion,” Kalinan remarked. “It captures harmony, precision and purity, expressed in the languages of both Japan and France, striking a balance between authenticity and reinvention.”
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