Kanosuke Distillery
Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength Limited Edition 2023
Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength Limited Edition 2023
- Limited edition single malt Japanese whisky produced by Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima, Japan
- 2023 vintage
- Distilled from 100% malted barley; blend of malt peated to 50 ppm and unpeated malt
- Double distilled using a combination of Kanosuke’s three Miyake copper pot stills
- Aged an average 4–5 years in a combination of ex–bourbon barrels, ex–Mellowed Kozuru rice shochu American oak casks, and sherry casks; non-age statement
- Robust notes of cinnamon, pastry custard, banana, and smokey incense on the nose precede a weighty palate of black tea, salted caramel, and baking spice with a dry finish full of salty-sweet smoke
- Gold medalist at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- No added coloring
- Non-chill filtered; bottled at a cask strength of 59% ABV
An older, smokey departure from Kanosuke Distillery’s previous annual, limited edition release, this heavily peated single malt blends peated and unpeated malts distilled in 2018 and 2019 that have been carefully aged in a variety of casks—including the distillery’s signature use of Mellow Kozuru rice shochu casks—and bottled at cask strength.
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2023
Country:
Japan
Region:
Kagoshima
Spirit Type:
Japanese Whisky
Spirit Sub Type:
Single Malt / Malt / Pure Malt
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | JP-XKN-02-23 | 6/700ml |
| Connecticut Spirit | JP-XKN-02-23CT | 12/700ml |
Press & Reviews
Whisky Advocate
Score
94
Date
2025-01-07
"This peaty expression—despite its name it was not released until 2024—was matured in sherry casks and re-charred American oak Mellow Kozuru shochu casks. Salty seaweed, vanilla, chocolaty peat smoke, clove, antiseptic, and toasted raisin bread on the nose. Effortlessly drinkable at cask strength, with flavors of chocolate chip, raisin, cherry, and smoke, with sweeter milk chocolate, juicy sultana, and mixed peel notes emerging. The finish brings milk chocolate, cinnamon, and raspberry jam doughnut filling."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
NV
VinePair
Score
95
Date
2023-11-22
"Aged for a little over three years in re-charred American oak casks that previously held rice shochu, this small-batch single malt is the first release from the Komasa Kanosuke distillery, located in Kagoshima on the southern tip of Japan. Aromas of plums and sweet apple preserves set an inviting first impression. The palate follows with rich depth and a range of flavors including malt, earth, fresh fruit, and oak. Its texture is weighty and the finish lengthy. Even if you can't find a bottle of this release, Kanosuke should be on your radar."
NV
Whisky Advocate
Score
93
Date
2022-12-01
"Distilled from unpeated malt from 2017-19, the nose has baked plum, walnut, damson, baked apple, sultana, and black cherry, with hints of baked orange, cumin, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Substantial and weighty on the palate, with caramels, toffee, baked citrus, ripe plum, and black pepper, then the alcohols bubble up, bursting in slow motion with citrus, vanilla sweetness, and ginger. Master blender Yoshitsugu Komasa achieves a superb intensity of deliciousness here. (6,000 bottles)"
NV
Whisky Advocate
Score
92
Date
2022-12-01
"West of Kagoshima, this distillery faces the East China Sea alongside Japan's longest beach. Using unpeated malt distilled in 2017–18, master blender Yoshitsugu Komasa mainly selected recharred American oak shochu casks for this release. A nose of fresh apricot, peach, mandarin, plum, lemon mousse, fruit teas, and white pepper is followed by a palate of intense marmalade flavors, apricot clafoutis, clove, and pepper, with cola, oak, and bourbon biscuits. (2,400 bottles)"
NV
San Francisco Spirits Comp
Score
11
Date
2023-04-27
"Double Gold"
NV
San Francisco Spirits Comp
Score
1
Date
2023-04-27
"Gold"