Kanosuke Distillery

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:

Kanosuke Distillery

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

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Press & Reviews

Whisky Advocate

Score

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

San Francisco Spirits Comp

Score

Date

2023-04-27

"Gold"

VinePair

Score

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."

Whisky Advocate

Score

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)"

San Francisco Spirits Comp

Score

Date

2023-04-27

"Double Gold"

Whisky Advocate

Score

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)"

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Kanosuke Distillery

Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength Limited Edition 2023