In order to embody the Kanosuke Distillery’s concept of “MELLOW LAND, MELLOW WHISKY”, the original three pot stills (copper distillers) are used to make the raw spirit, which is then aged in various oak barrels for three years before being mulled.
As with the previous First Edition Non-peated malt As with the first edition of the previous product, we used multiple barrels vatted together, with the key being the raw material aged in bourbon barrels.
It was distilled and aged at the Kanosuke Distillery in 2018. Single malt Japanese whisky In addition, the new product will be available in a variety of styles.
In addition, this product is described as a “single malt Japanese whisky” in the product description. Voluntary standards for Japanese whisky established by the Japan Western Brewers Association The distillery is located in Kagoshima prefecture, Japan.
1. Manufacturer
Komasa Brewing Company
| Establishment | 1883 (16th year of Meiji) |
| Head office | 3309 Hioki, Hiyoshi-cho, Hioki-shi, Kagoshima 899-3101, Japan |
| Owned distillery | Kanosuke distillery |
2. Distillery
Kanosuke distillery
| Location | 845-3 Kaminokawa, Hiyoshi-cho, Hioki-shi, Kagoshima 899-2421 |
| Start of operation | 2017 |
The Kanosuke distillery stands on a site of about 9,000 square meters along 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 (redistillation), 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 SECOND EDITION
4. Characteristics
The second single malt Japanese whisky from the Kanosuke distillery.
Single Malt KANOSUKE 2021 SECOND EDITION is a single malt Japanese whisky produced at the Kanosuke Distillery in 2018. It is made from non-peated malt and matured in bourbon barrels, with multiple barrels vatted and bottled at cask strength.
The sea breeze that blows through the Kanosuke distillery gets colder every day, and the whisky spends its time maturing gently.
Please enjoy the elegant sweetness and bitterness that is matured in the gentle sea breeze. (From the manufacturer’s website)
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Citrus, green apple, vanilla, lemon tea |
| Taste | Honey, Nicki, Grapefruit |
| Aftertaste | Elegant sweetness and soft bitterness |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 57% |
| alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Barrel type | Bourbon barrels, etc. |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested retail price | 13,750 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | November 12, 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 SECOND EDITION |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 13,750 yen (tax included) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is Around 23,000 yen to 28,000 yen. (*As of November 26, 2021)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo Auction
The winning bid price on Yahoo Auction is Lowest bidder: 22,000 yen, highest bidder: 29,800 yen, average bidder: 24,757 yen (*Statistics for the past 180 days as of November 26, 2021)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
It is also available at the mail order site at Around 27,500 yen to 39,500 yen.(*As of November 26, 2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR SHINKAI
At “BAR SHINKAI”, which is operated by this site, it is offered at 1 glass, 45ml: 3,960 yen, 30ml: 2,640 yen, 15ml: 1,320 yen.
7. Summary
Although it seems to be a little stiff and violent immediately after opening the bottle, it gradually opens up as time passes. After adding a very small amount of water, the aroma regains its composure and changes to a clean and crisp mouthfeel. The impression changes drastically. As with the First Edition, this whisky has been highly praised by whisky lovers since its release.
■Please check out the other articles about Kanosuke.
https://jpwhisky.net/kanosuke2021-6702/
https://jpwhisky.net/kanosuke-newborn-2020-peated-808/
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). 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.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey 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.
