The annual limited edition release from Kanosuke Distillery.This year’s release is a ‘Single Malt’.
Review of the characteristics and flavor ofprevious limited editions.
| Release Year | Product Name | Key Base Whisky |
| 2021 | Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 FIRST EDITION | Shochu Richar Cask Original |
| 2021 | Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 SECOND EDITION |
Non-Peated: Bourbon Barrel Original Spirit |
| 2022 | Single Malt Kanosuke 2022 LIMITED EDITION | Non-Peated: Sherry Cask |
| 2023 | Single Malt Kanosuke 2023 LIMITED EDITION | Peated: Shochu Richar & Sherry Cask |
| 2024 | Kanosuke HIOKI POT STILL 2024 LIMITED EDITION |
Barley, Malt Ingredients: Shochu Richar, Bourbon, White Oak New Barrels |
| 2025 | Kanosuke Double Distilleries 2025 LIMITED EDITION |
Kanosuke, Hioki Original Spirit: Shochu Richar, Rum Cask |
| 2026 | Single Malt Kanosuke 2026 LIMITED EDITION | Bourbon Cask Original Spirit Finished in Apple Brandy Cask; Shochu Richar Cask-Aged Original Spirit Finished in White Wine Cask |
1. Bottle and Label Photos
Kanosuke Single Malt 2026 LIMITED EDITION
KANOSUKE Single Malt Limited Edition 2026 
２ ．Features of Kanosuke Single Malt 2026 LIMITED EDITION
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Semi-dry apple, white bean paste dessert, green tea, |
| Taste | Vanilla ice cream, apple candy, salted lime, cloves |
| Aftetr Taste | The refreshing acidity of the apple fades, leaving a lingering saltiness and bitterness |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 57% |
| Types of Alcohol | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Barrel Type | Base spirit aged in bourbon casks, then finished in apple brandy casks; base spirit aged in shochu recharred casks, then finished in white wine casks |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| Number of Bottles Sold | — |
| Suggested Retail Price | ¥14,850 (tax included) |
| Release Date | February 25, 2026 |
3. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
4. List Price and Online Price
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Kanosuke Single Malt 2026 LIMITED EDITION |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | ¥14,850 (tax included) |
4-2. Resale Price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari are listed at the same amount as the list price. (As of 2025/9/30)
4-3. Yahoo! Auctions Winning Bid Price
Winning bids on Yahoo! Auctions were confirmed at the list price . (As of 2025/9/30)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Retail sites like Amazon were confirmed to sell at the list price . (As of 2025/9/30)
4-5. Price Offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai,” operated by this site, we offer small portions such as45ml: ¥4,950,30ml: ¥3,300, and 15ml: ¥1,650.
5. About Kanosuke Distillery
Kanosuke Distillery commenced operations in 2017.
It is situated on a spacious, approximately 9,000 m² site along Fukiage Beach on the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, with various facilities scattered across the grounds. The main building, a two-story U-shaped structure, houses the distillation equipment, a bar with great views, and a shop stocked with original goods. This makes it a distillery where visitors can experience whisky making up close.
A major feature of the Kanosuke Distillery is its three pot stills. Their capacities are 6,000 liters, 3,000 liters, and 1,600 liters. Globally, two stills are typical for craft distilleries (small-scale distilleries).Whisky is typically distilled twice. At Kanosuke Distillery, during the second distillation (redistillation), they use pot stills with different neck shapes and angles of the upper line arm. This allows them to create distinct base spirits with varied aromas and flavors.
7. Summary
An annual limited edition series. Beginning with the distinctive character symbolizing Komasa Shuzo—shochu aged in Richar casks—it has evolved to include bourbon, sherry, peated spirits, and even the fusion with grain from the Hioki Distillery.
Our journey has been a continuous challenge to broaden our expression as a distillery and the range of our base spirits.
This limited edition’s key lies in the secondary aging in apple brandy and white wine barrels.
The tropical body characteristic of previous Kanosuke expressions is now complemented by a more delicate, transparent fruitiness, while retaining the soft, Japanese-style sweetness derived from the Shochu Richar Cask. It strikes an impressive balance, embodying both elegance and refreshing crispness.
This is the first limited edition of Kanosuke Single Malt since the 2023 edition, and you can feel the enhanced raw spirit and technique.
Fresh and vibrant. Refreshing with a gentle, Japanese-style sweetness. A bottle that makes you feel the arrival of spring.
Check out other Kanosuke products here.
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.
