Kanosuke Single Malt is the distillery’s flagship from its coastal site in Kagoshima. The base spirit matures in carefully re-charred shōchū casks, after which multiple cask styles are married into an elegant, sweet-spiced whole with clear Japanese finesse. It is typically bottled at 48% ABV and represents Kanosuke’s house style at its purest: gentle sweetness, harmonious spice, and a discreet maritime nerve.
Casks & maturation
The core rests on re-charred shōchū casks—a nod to the producer’s roots—complemented by components from ex-bourbon and other cask types that add layer upon layer of aroma. Kanosuke matures whisky across several sites with different microclimates, which enhances complexity and depth in the final marriage.
Nose & palate
Nose: light honey, vanilla and almond cream followed by citrus zest, pear and soft herbs; undertones of toasted oak and sea breeze.
Palate: silky texture with notes of orange blossom, honey cake and candied citrus; nuances of white pepper, toffee and lightly toasted malt.
Finish: medium to long, clean finish with vanilla, milk chocolate and a hint of sea salt.
Serving & occasions
Best neat at 16–18 °C or with a few drops of water. It also shines in an elegant Japanese Highball, letting the citrus brightness and gentle sweetness take center stage.
Food pairing
Lighter, umami-driven dishes—yakitori (shio), grilled fish, tempura—or mild hard cow’s-milk cheeses. Its sweetness and fine spice also make it a natural partner for citrus- or almond-based desserts.
Key facts
Origin: Kagoshima, Japan (Fukiagehama coast)
Mashbill: 100% malted barley
Distillation: three pot stills with different neck/lyne-arm geometries for distinct spirits
Maturation: backbone of re-charred shōchū casks, complemented by other cask styles
Strength: typically 48% ABV
Filtration/colour: natural expression, focus on aroma and texture
The producer – Kanosuke Distillery
Shochu heritage
Kanosuke is owned by Komasa Jyozo, a family company founded in 1883 and renowned for shōchū, notably Mellowed Kozuru. That deep cask-management expertise shapes the whisky; hence the central role of re-charred shōchū casks in the house style.
Location & philosophy
Brought online in 2018, the distillery sits on Fukiagehama Beach on Kagoshima’s west coast—an environment of sea breezes, wide temperature swings and high humidity. The guiding idea is often summed up as “Mellow Land, Mellow Whisky”: a soft, relaxed profile without sacrificing aromatic complexity.
Technique & craft
Unusually, Kanosuke runs three copper pot stills with different geometries (necks and lyne-arm angles) to create distinct spirit characters. These are matured in a broad range of casks and—crucially—across multiple warehouses to layer nuance. The final blend is rested until it feels harmonious and expressive, clearly reflecting both place and the producer’s shōchū heritage.
