Release information on the release of “Single Malt Kanosuke” from Komasa Kanosuke Distillery Co. The release date is January 18, 2023.
This is the first “standard product” single malt Japanese whisky from the Kanosuke distillery. However, it is not yet known how stable the supply will be. Kanosuke Distillery has announced that they are not able to provide a stable supply at this time. However, the distillery has been increasing its production, so we can expect to see more products in the future.
1. Single malt Kanosuke
Image source: Kanosuke Distillery ‘s official Twitter
Unlike the “Edition” line, which has been commercialized in the past, “Single Malt Kanosuke” has been developed to be the “face” of the Kanosuke distillery and to introduce Kanosuke distillery to a wide range of whisky fans.
“Single Malt Kanosuke” is made from non-peat malt and aged in American white oak litchi casks, with multiple casks vatted, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 48%.
The “Single Malt Kanosuke” presented here makes full use of the aging and blending techniques cultivated since the barrel-stored shochu “Mellow Kozuru” created by Kanosuke Komasa, second generation, and is designed based on the unchanging concept of “a mellow whiskey with the Kanosuke Distillery’s character.” The package design is based on the motif of the setting sun and horizon over the East China Sea seen from the “MELLOW BAR” tasting room at the Kanosuke Distillery.
Reference: “Single Malt Kanosuke 48% 700ml” on sale｜Komasa Brewery Co.
| Official Tasting Notes | |
| Color | Tortoiseshell candy |
| Nose | Honey, banana, lemon tea, caramel |
| Taste | candied quince, nikki, ginger, slightly smoked nut |
| Finish | Elegant sweet bitterness, mild and long-lasting |
| Product name | Single Malt Kanosuke |
|---|---|
| Sake | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt (non-peat malt and peat malt) |
| Cask type | American white oak (Richer cask) and others |
| Number of bottles |
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| Degrees of alcohol content | 48% |
| Price | Suggested Retail Price: 9,900 yen (tax included) |
| Manufactory | Kanosuke Distillery |
| Manufacturer | Komasa Kanosuke Distillery Co. |
2. How to purchase
At this time (November 21, 2022), there is no official information about the lottery or how to purchase at the Kanosuke Distillery.
3. About the Kanosuke Distillery
Kanosuke Distillery started operation in 2017.
It stands on a spacious site of approximately 9,000m2 along Fukiage beach on the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, with various facilities scattered throughout the site. The U-shaped, two-story main building houses distilling facilities, a bar with a great view, and a store selling original goods, allowing visitors to experience whisky making up close and personal.
A major feature of the Kanosuke Distillery is that it has three pot stills (distillers). Each has a capacity of 6,000 L, 3,000 L, and 1,600 L. Worldwide, two units are common for craft distilleries (small distilleries). Whisky is usually distilled twice, and the Kanosuke Distillery uses pot stills with different neck shapes and angles of the upper line arm during the second distillation (redistillation) to produce different types of whisky with varying aromas and flavors.
Production will begin in two shifts from November 2022.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/japanesedistillery-2-3542/#8-1_Kanosuke_Distillery_Komasa_Shuzo”]
4. Single Malt Kanosuke Lineup
4-1. Single Malt Kanosuke 2022 LIMITED EDITION
“Single Malt Kanosuke 2022 LIMITED EDITION” is a single malt Japanese whisky produced at the Kanosuke distillery from 2017 to 2019. It is made with non-peat malt and The key ingredient is the original spirit matured in sherry casks, vatted in multiple casks, and bottled at cask strength.
The key malt is the original sherry cask-aged spirit, which imparts a full and attractive aroma.
Please enjoy the lingering taste like the setting sun slowly sinking into the East China Sea.
4-2. single malt kanosuke 2021 second edition
“Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 SECOND EDITION” is a single malt Japanese whisky produced at the Kanosuke distillery in 2018. It is made with non-peat malt and aged in bourbon casks as the key ingredient, vatted in multiple casks, and bottled at cask strength.
The gentle sea breeze that blows at the Kanosuke Distillery cools the beer day by day, allowing it to spend a gentle time maturing.
Please enjoy the elegant sweetness and bitterness of this distilled spirit, matured in the softness of the sea breeze. (From the manufacturer’s website)
4-3. Single malt Kanosuke 2021 FIRST EDITION
“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-peat malt, and was vatted and bottled at cask strength in multiple casks, with the key ingredient being the original spirit aged in the American white oak rich cask used for our barrel-aged rice shochu “Mellow Kozuru“.
Finally, our Japanese whiskey journey has begun. (From the manufacturer’s website)
4-4. Single Malt Kanosuke Artist Edition#1
The “Artist Edition” is inspired by the “Five-elements thought,” which is deeply rooted in Japanese people’s daily lives, and is created by artists who are active in various fields, with original label designs based on the five elements of “wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.” The series will be released once a year in limited quantities.
The first one, “Single Malt Kanosuke Artist Edition #001,” is the first full bottle of 2022 Kanosuke Distillery. Several casks were carefully selected from American white oak and litchi casks, which are made with non-piped malt from England and aged with the sea breeze as a lullaby.
The motif’s five-elements thought is “wood.” The label design was created by Mariko Hirasawa, an active illustrator. It depicts an oak tree stretching powerfully toward the sky in gentle tones.
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.
