In order to embody the Kanosuke Distillery’s concept of “MELLOW LAND, MELLOW WHISKY,” the original three pot stills (copper distillers) were used to make the original liquor, which was then aged in various oak barrels for three years before being mulled.
Non-peated malt It was distilled and aged at the Kanosuke Distillery from 2017 to 2006, and is the first Kanosuke distillery product to be bottled at cask strength. Single Malt Japanese Whisky It was distilled and aged at the Kanosuke Distillery from 2017-18.
The box that houses the Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 FIRST EDITION was designed to resemble the sandy beach of Fukiage Beach that stretches below the distillery. When you touch both sides of the box, you can feel the rough texture of the beach, and the package design also depicts a beach. The shape of the bottle is also based on the motif of a pot still. This is the blissful moment when those who have visited the Kanosuke distillery pick up a bottle of Single Malt Kanosuke, think about it, and sip it. The bottle is also shaped like a pot still. TEAM KANOSUKE aims to create entertainment through experiences and impressions.
In addition, this product is described as a “single malt Japanese whisky” in the product description. This has an important meaning. Voluntary standards for Japanese whisky established by the Japan Western Brewers Association This is important because the new law, “Single Malt Japanese whisky”, came into effect on April 1, 2012, and we have indicated that the product is in compliance with it.
1. Manufacturer
Komasa Brewing Company
| Establishment | 1883 (16th year of Meiji) |
| Head office | 3309 Hiki, Hiyoshi-cho, Hioki-shi, Kagoshima 899-3101, Japan |
| Owned distillery | Kannosuke distillery |
2. Distillery
Kannosuke distillery
| Location | 845-3 Kannogawa, Hiyoshi-cho, Hioki-shi, Kagoshima 899-2421 |
| Start of operation | 2017 |
The Kanosuke distillery stands on a site of about 9,000 square meters by Fukiage beach on the west coast of Kagoshima prefecture.
In addition to the distillation facilities, the U-shaped, two-story main building has a bar with a great view and a store selling original goods.
The main features of the distillery are The distillery is equipped with three pot stills (large, medium and small). The main feature of the distillery is that it has three distilleries. The distillery has a capacity of 6000 liters, 3000 liters, and 1600 liters respectively.
In the world, craft distilleries (small distilleries) usually have two units. whisky is usually distilled twice, and by using pot stills with different neck shapes and upper line arm angles during the second distillation (re-distillation), the aroma and flavor of the raw material can be changed more richly.
Fukiage beach, where the distillery stands, is one of the three largest sand dunes in Japan and has been selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan. The beach is about 47 km long from north to south, and the strong wind rises from the surface of the sea, and the area around the distillery is covered in white mist from the fine spray from the sea. It is a place with a wide range of temperatures, with hot summers and cold winters, where it is not unusual for the temperature to drop to around 0°C and snow to fall.
Image credit: Kanosuke Distillery Official Facebook
For more information on the Kanosuke Distillery, please also see this article.
3. Product name and photo
Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 FIRST EDITION
4. Characteristics
Kanosuke Distillery’s first single malt Japanese whisky
The Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 FIRST EDITION is our first single malt Japanese whisky produced at the Kanosuke Distillery in 2017-18.
It is made with non-peated malt and bottled at cask strength using multiple barrels vatted from the same American white oak richer casks used for our barrel-aged rice shochu, Mellow Kozuru.At last, our journey of Japanese whisky begins. (From the manufacturer’s website)
4-1. Tasting notes
| Nose | Lime, prune, raisin butter |
| Taste | Mellow, woody, vanilla, nicotine. |
| Aftertaste | Bittersweetness of orangette, soft sea breeze |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 58% alcohol by volume |
| alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask Type | American white oak richer cask |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested retail price | 13,750 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | June 16, 2021 |
5. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 FIRST EDITION |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 13,750 yen (tax included) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
There seems to be no listing on Mercari at present. (*As of June 16, 2021)
6-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
The winning bid price on Yahoo Auction is Lowest price: 19,800 yen, Highest price: 19,800 yen, Average price: 19,800 yen (*Statistics for the past 120 days as of June 16, 2021)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
There are no mail order sites that carry this product at this time. (As of 6/16/2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR SHINKAI
Bar Shinkai, which is operated by this website, offers the following 1 glass, 45ml: 3,960 yen, 30ml: 2,640 yen, 15ml: 1,320 yen (* Statistics for the past 120 days as of 6/16/2021)
7. Summary
The Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 FIRST EDITION has finally been released to the world as a whisky after 3 years of maturation. 3 types of Newborn were made between 2018 and 2020.
The third limited edition bottle from the Kanosuke Newborn Distillery won the “Japanese New Make Category Winner” at the Tokyo whisky & Spirits Competition 2021, so we can say that the distillery has very high expectations.
The surprising thing about it is its color, which makes it hard to believe that it is three years old. It has a dark amber color like the setting sun. The palate also starts with fresh and slightly acidic fruit, and later on you can find richness and a good amount of sweetness. The aftertaste is long, complex, and deep. This is a whisky that I would like to drink on the rocks and enjoy the changes in flavor over time.
■Please check out the other articles about Kanosuke.
https://jpwhisky.net/kanosuke-newborn-2020-peated-808/
https://jpwhisky.net/2021/02/05/kanosuke-new- born-2019/
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, and want to learn more about it, we highly recommend these books.
(1). Japanese whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled ” Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business.
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(2). Whisky Galore Vol.25 April 2021
The April 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute.
This issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, features the definition of Japanese whisky and a list of 24 distilleries as the latest in Japanese whisky. It also includes an interview with Suntory Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, making it a must-have for Japanese whisky fans.
(3). Whisky Rising.
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
