Introducing the one and only Japanese craft whisky carefully selected by JAL to the world (Vol. 6)
JAL aims to create relationships and connections through transportation by selling “Japanese craft whisky” made at craft distilleries scattered throughout Japan and encouraging people to visit various parts of Japan for the experience. This time, as the sixth product of this initiative, “Kanosuke HIOKI POT STILL 2024 LIMITED EDITION,” Japanese-style pot still whisky from the Kanosuke Komasa Distillery Co. The limited quantity will be available through the international in-flight sales “Pre-Order Service”. Also, “Single Malt Kanosuke”, the first standard product of Kanosuke Distillery, will be available on all international flights.
( Japanese craft whisky sold through JAL in-flight sales to date )
Image source: Japan Airlines Co. press release
1.Kanosuke HIOKI POT STILL 2024 LIMITED EDITION
This is the first limited edition derived from the Japanese style pot still whisky “Kanosuke HIOKI POT STILL”, which is made from barley and malt at the Hioki distillery and stored in barrels at the Kanosuke distillery. It is vatted with original sake stored in new American white oak barrels, bourbon barrels, and shochu litchi barrels. You will enjoy the harmony of bitterness and sweetness that sets it apart from the standard product.
1-1. tasting notes
| Nose | Creme brulee, fresh oak, apricot, green plum |
| Taste | vanilla, caramel sauce, charred oak, cocoa, matcha |
| Aftertaste | Oily, rich, mild bittersweet |
1-2. Selling Method
| Eligible passengers | First and Business Class passengers on JAL international flights |
| Eligible flights |
Flights departing between Saturday, February 1 and Friday, February 28, 2025 Saturday, March 1, 2025 – Monday, March 31, 2025 |
| Sales Price | 15,000 yen (Limit one per person per flight) |
| Reservation method | Reservations can be made through JAL international in-flight sales “Advance Order Service”. Click here for how to use this service. |
Advance Order Service”: A service that allows customers to pre-order certain international in-flight sales items online from the 25th of the month prior to the departure date up to 72 hours prior to the departure date. The number of customers who can pre-order and routes differ depending on the product.
2. “Single Malt Kanosuke
This single malt Kanosuke is made using three pot stills, which is rare for a craft distillery, and aged in the same American white oak rich casks used for the barrel-stored shochu “MELLOW KOZURU”. This is the flagship product of Kanosuke Distillery, embodying the concept of “MELLOW LAND, MELLOW WHISKY. This Japanese single malt whisky is highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad.
2-1. tasting notes
| Aroma | Honey, lemon tea |
| Taste | Spicy with hints of garlic and ginger, with a subtle smokiness. |
| Aftertaste | Elegant, sweet and bitter, with a gentle, long-lasting finish. |
2-2. Sales Method
| Eligible passengers | Passengers on JAL international flights (all classes) |
| Eligible flights | Flights departing between February 1 (Sat) and March 31 (Mon), 2025 |
| Sales Price | 9,000 yen |
Available at JAL’s SALON in JAL First Class Lounge at Haneda Airport and Narita Airport, and in First Class and Business Class on international flights (excluding Korean routes). Please note that the number of bottles available is limited and may not be available in some cases.
3. sales notes
The product is not for sale to persons under 20 years of age.
No carry-on baggage is allowed on connecting flights.
Resale, re-sale, or other commercial purposes are strictly prohibited.
Sales are subject to sell-out and may end without notice. Sales are subject to end without notice.
About Kanosuke Distillery
Founded in 1883 and continuing to make shochu at the Hioki Distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture, Komasa Jozo created Japan’s first “barrel-aged shochu” and set out to expand its business worldwide. Inheriting this intention, Yoshitsugu Komasa, the fourth generation of the company, opened the Kanosuke Distillery in 2017 along Fukiage Beach in Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, with the idea of “using the authentic shochu barrel-aging technology accumulated over 60 years to attract people around the world with whisky, a spirit common to the world. Based on Kagoshima’s long history of authentic shochu distilling techniques, the distillery applies its expertise in fermentation, distillation, barrel aging, and blending to produce a mellow whisky with all its heart and soul while overlooking the magnificent scenery of the East Shina Sea and Fukiage Beach stretching out before it.
Click here to read the brand story “Shochu Tradition into Whisky”.
Image source: JAL press release
