Kanosuke Distillery

Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength Limited Edition 2022

Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength Limited Edition 2022

Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength Limited Edition 2022
  • Single malt Japanese whisky produced by Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima, Japan
  • Copper pot distilled
  • Non-age statement; aged minimum 3 years in a combination of re-charred Mellowed Kozuru rice shochu American oak casks, Oloroso sherry casks, and ex-bourbon casks
  • No coloring or other additives
  • Aromas of grated cinnamon bark and ripe plum transition to a robust palate of coffee, vanilla, and spicy oak with an assertive finish of black tea and clover honey
  • Double Gold medalist at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
  • Limited 3,000 bottle US release
  • Non-chill filtered; bottled at cask strength of 59% ABV

In Kanosuke’s first distilling season, 180 barrels were filled—100 ex-Mellowed Kozuru rice shochu barrels, 50 ex-bourbon barrels, and 30 precious oloroso sherry casks. This 2022 limited edition single malt blends these barrels to bring the sherry casks into the fore to complement the shochu and bourbon barrels.

Info

Producer:
Kanosuke Distillery
Vintage:
NV
Country:
Japan
Region:
Kagoshima
Spirit Type:
Japanese Whisky
Spirit Sub Type:
Single Malt / Malt / Pure Malt

Sizes Available

Full Bottle JP-XKN-02-22 6/700ml

Tasting Notes

Copper pot distilled by Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima, Japan, Kanosuke Limited Edition 2022 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky is the result of over three years of patience. In Kanosuke’s first distilling season, 180 barrels were filled—100 ex-Mellowed Kozuru rice shochu barrels, 50 ex-bourbon barrels, and 30 precious, Oloroso sherry casks. This non-age-statement whisky reflects a blend of these barrels that highlights the sherry casks to complement the shochu and bourbon barrels.

Bottled at cask strength without coloring or other additives, the resulting spirit exudes aromas of grated cinnamon bark and ripe plum, transitioning to a robust palate of coffee, vanilla, and spicy oak with an assertive finish of black tea and clover honey. With 3,000 bottles available to the US, the wait is over—this exciting new distillery finally has enough matured whisky to share with the world, so don’t miss out! Non-chill filtered; 59% ABV.

Resources

General Shelf Talker
High Resolution Bottle Shot
Tech Sheet
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Press & Reviews

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)"
San Francisco Spirits Comp
Score
11
Date
2023-04-27
"Double Gold"

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
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
1
Date
2023-04-27
"Gold"
2023
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."