The “Single Malt Kanosuke” released this time is the first “standard product” of the Kanosuke distillery, a single malt Japanese whisky. However, Kanosuke Distillery has announced that they are not able to provide a stable supply of the product at this time, and it will not be sold in the distillery’s shop or on the web for the time being.
The distillery is increasing the production (adding two brewings a day), so we can expect more in the future.
The label design is based on the motif of the setting sun and the horizon over the East China Sea seen from Mellow BAR in the Kanosuke distillery.
1. Manufacturer
Komasa Kanosuke Distillery Co.
| Established | August 2021 |
| Head office location | 845-3 Kaminokawa, Hiyoshi-cho, Hioki-shi, Kagoshima 899-2421 |
| 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㎡ along Fukiage beach on the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The U-shaped, two-story main building houses not only the distilling facilities but also a BAR with a great view and a store selling original goods.
The main feature of the distillery is that it is equipped with three pot stills (large, medium, and small). Each has a capacity of 6,000 liters, 3,000 liters, and 1,600 liters.
Craft distilleries (small distilleries) around the world generally have two stills. Whisky is usually distilled twice, and by using pot stills with different shapes of necks and angles of line arms at the top during the second distillation (redistillation), the aroma and flavor of the original whisky can be more richly changed.
Fukiage beach, where the distillery is located, is one of the “Three Great Sand Dunes of Japan” and has been selected as one of the “100 Best Sandy Beaches in Japan”. The beach stretches about 47 km from north to south, and strong winds blow in from the sea. It is hot in the summer and cold in the winter, with temperatures near zero degrees Celsius, and snow flurries are not uncommon.
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For more information on the Kanosuke Distillery, see also this article.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/japanesedistillery-2-3542/#8-1_Kanosuke_Distillery_Komasa_Shuzo”]
3. Product name and photo
Single Malt Kanosuke
Single Malt Kanosuke
4. Characteristics
“Single Malt Kanosuke” was created based on the concept of “a mellow whisky with a Kanosuke distillery feel”, utilizing the traditional distillation and barrel storage techniques of Komasa Brewery, which were cultivated through the production of “Mellowed Kozuru” .
The key ingredient is non-peat malt, aged in American white oak litchi casks, and vatted in multiple barrels. It was non chill filtered, watered down to 48%, and bottled.Malt: Non-peat malt, peat malt
Yeast: Distillery yeast
Pot stills: Miyake-made 6,000L first distillation kettle, 3,000L redistillation kettle, 1,600L
Storage Casks: American white oak litchi casks are used as the key casks, and multiple casks are vatted.TASTING NOTE
COLOR: Taffy
NOSE: Honey, banana, lemon tea, caramel
TASTE: Candied quince, garlic, ginger, and a hint of smoked nuts.
FINISH: Elegant sweet bitterness lingers gently and long.
Reference: Single Malt Kanosuke | Kanosuke Distillery
4-1. Tasting notes
| Aroma | Butter, nuts, citrus |
| Taste | Candy, vanilla, apple sweet and sour, woody |
| Aftertaste | Transition from vanilla sweetness to a refreshing herbal aftertaste |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | American white oak (Richer cask) and others |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Bottles sold |
| Suggested retail price | 9,900 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | January 18, 2023 |
5. Awards
No awards received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | Single Malt Kanosuke |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 9,900 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari are around 13,000 yen to 15,000 yen. (*As of 1/18/2023)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions
There are currently no items for sale on Yahoo! Auctions. (*As of 1/18/2023)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
On mail order sites 24,000 yen on Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, and Amazon mail order sites. (*As of 1/18/2023)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, 1 glass is offered at 45ml: 2,310 yen, 30ml: 1,540 yen, and 15ml: 770 yen. 
7. Summary
This is a standard release, so if you can’t get it right now, you will probably have a chance to buy it at your local liquor store in the future. Before its release, we were told that the initial shipment was quite small, but we have the impression that it has been available for quite a while.
The taste is reminiscent of Kanosuke First Edition, with an impression of mellow crane litchi cask. The taste is not tired and makes you want to have another sip and another sip.
I am very happy to see that each distillery is gradually releasing “standard products”. It is not easy for any distillery to release a standard product with a limited amount of raw materials and to continue to produce it. I would like to support the Kanosuke distillery in 2023.
■Please check out our other articles about Kanosuke Distillery.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/06/27/kanosuke_2022-7/
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/04/06/kanosuke_artist_edition1-2/
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.
