KANOSUKE DISTILLERY
The Kanosuke Distillery went into operation in 2018. The Kanosuke Distillery is named after the 2nd generation leader of the company, Kanosuke Komasa. The distillery is located on a 9,000 square meter tract of land along the Fukiagehama Beach on the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The two-story distillery house features 3 unique pot stills, compared to the typical 2 pot stills, commonly found in small distileries. Each of the three pot stills has a different neck shape and Lyne arm angle. By utilizing the three different pot stills and blending between the three, Kanosuke is able to create richer flavors and aromas from their whiskies.
Kanosuke’s motto is “Japanese whisky, richer and more mellow.” With the release of their New Born whisky, they are on the right path to realizing this vision.
PRODUCTS
kanosuke single malt 2023 48% ABV
This single malt whisky marks Kanosuke’s first consistent release in the 6 years since their opening in 2018. Like the “Limited Editions” before it, this single malt is made using all three of the distillery’s Miyagi copper pot stills. It is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry, and re-charred virgin oak barrels which previously contained “Mellowed Kozuru”, a rice shochu made by Komasa Jyozo. The Kanosuke Single Malt Whisky is as much a reflection of Kagoshima’s craftspeople as it is its beautiful coastal landscape. Delicate aromatics of banana, lemon cake, and Japanese confectionery are all present before the first sip. The palate has a subtle richness that unfolds beautifully to flavors of candied quince, ginger spice, and camp smoke, with a gentle finish full of salty sea air.
Awards
2023 Gold: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
KANOSUKE HIOKI POT STILL SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY 51% ABV
Kanosuke has been blazing their own trail since their operation began in 2018. In the past 5 years they have set their sights on making the best possible single malt whiskies as they can in their picturesque corner of Kagoshima. This new single grain whisky comes from their sister distillery Hioki. Named for its city of residence, Hioki Distillery is about 5 minutes inland from Kanosuke and home to Komasa Jyozo's gin production. Taking inspiration from some of Ireland's most beloved whiskies while adding a definitively Japanese twist, the Hioki Pot Still is a mixed mash bill of malted and unmalted barley. Instead of using traditional copper pot stills for this expression, Hioki has opted to use a stainless steel pot still used for shochu production. The results are nothing short of spectacular. The nose is full of fresh hewn wood, stone fruit, and citrus. The body follows with a balanced jaunt through vanilla, orange marmalade, and almonds, that finishes with a lingering spicy-sweet finish reminiscent of candied ginger.
Awards
2023 Gold: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
KANOSUKE DOUBLE DISTILLERY JAPANESE WHISKY 53% ABV
Kanosuke Double Distillery is the combined effort of two brothers wishing to honor their grandfather with a collaborative whisky blend. The result is a fantastic marriage of The Kanosuke Single Malt Whisky along with their newly released Hioki Pot Still Single Grain Whisky. Double Distilleries rounds out the core range that will be a consistent offering from Kanosuke and marks the completion their first chapter as top-notch whisky makers. More than just the sum of its parts, this blend is carefully crafted to accentuate each of its components. The nose is expressively floral with summer melon, stone fruit, and lemon grass. The palate full of rich complexity leaning into deeper bittersweet flavors of black tea, clove, orange peel, and raspberries. Kanosuke have successfully put a stamp on their core range with Double Distilleries, effectively making them one of the most compelling distilleries in Japan.
Awards
2023 Gold: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
kanosuke single malt limited edition 2023 59% ABV CASK STRENGTH
The Kanosuke Single Malt Limited Edition 2023 expands on the distillery’s landmark style with this heavily peated expression. Using a similar vatting of barrels to mature peated malt distilled between 2018 and 2019, this whisky was bottled in 2023 at cask strength. Robust notes of cinnamon, pastry custard, and banana are all present in the nose as well as a delicate smokey incense. The palate is weighty and long with a huge dose of black tea, salted caramel, and baking spice that yields to a dry finish full of salty-sweet smokey goodness.
barrels used to age
EX-BOURBON BARRELS, SHERRY CASKS, EX- “MELLOWED KOZURU” RICE SHOCHU CASKS
kanosuke single malt limited edition 2022 59% ABV
In the distillery’s first season, Kanosuke laid down 100 barrels of ex- “Mellowed Kozuru” rice shochu, 50 barrels of ex-bourbon, and just 30 oloroso sherry casks. This 2022 limited edition single malt release brings the sherry casks into a greater focus to compliment the ex-shochu and bourbon barrels.
tasting notes
Bright, cinnamon scented plum intermingles with coffee and wood spice, yielding to an assertive finish full of honied black tea. This incredible offering from the Kanosuke Distillery furthers their push to the horizons of Japanese whisky.
Awards
2023 Double Gold: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
kanosuke single malt second edition 2021 57% ABV
The first single malt whisky from the new Komasa Kanosuke distillery in Kagoshima is one that already has the spirits world talking. Kanosuke utilizes all three of their copper pot stills to make a malt whisky of exacting quality that displays their pedigree, both as distillers and blenders. This unpeated malt is aged for just over three years in re-charred American white oak casks that previously aged their “Mellowed Kozuru” rice shochu.
This incredibly limited Second Edition is an elegant balance of black lemon tea, honey covered apples, and vanilla cream. The finish is long and rich with a whisps of toasted cinnamon and candied grapefruit peel.
kanosuke single malt first edition 2021 58% ABV
The first single malt whisky from the new Komasa Kanosuke distillery in Kagoshima is one that already has the spirits world talking. Kanosuke utilizes all three of their copper pot stills to make a malt whisky of exacting quality that displays their pedigree, both as distillers and blenders. This unpeated malt is aged for just over three years in re-charred American white oak casks that previously aged their “Mellowed Kozuru” rice shochu.
This first edition single malt charts a course through amber colored hues of spiced marmalade, vanilla cream, and mellow timber. The finish is long and elegant, reminiscent of bittersweet chocolate covered orange peels kissed by the sea air. SF SPIRITS COMP 2022 DOUBLE GOLD, BEST IN SHOW
kanosuke new born 2019 57% ABV
Characteristics of KANOSUKE NEW BORN 2019
Made with unpeated malt. Fermented with distillery yeast (dry yeast), first distillation in the wash still, and second distillation in the spirit still that creates more body (out of Kanosuke Distillery’s two spirit stills). The newmake whisky was barreled in bourbon casks and stored for 16 months in Kanosuke Distillery’s sea breeze-infused storehouse before being bottled at cask-strength.
Please enjoy the mellow and soft quality that has been further intensified from last year’s New Born
tasting notes
Color: Golden with a slight reddish tint
Nose: Vanilla, sea salt, mint, caramel
Taste: Spicy, Nashi pear, woody, bitter
Finish: Mellow and soft, long finish