KAGOSHIMA, Japan, July 2024—Kanosuke Distillery, which crafts next generation Japanese whisky from Kagoshima’s mellow coast, today announces the launch of three core expressions in the U.S. market for Summer 2024. They include Kanosuke Japanese Single Malt Whisky, Kanosuke Hioki Japanese Pot Still Single Grain Whisky and Kanosuke Double Distillery Japanese Blended Whisky. These sublime sipping whiskies are all conceived, distilled, matured and bottled in Kagoshima Prefecture on Japan’s southernmost island, Kyushu.
Kanosuke Distillery is part of Komasa Jyozo, which has been crafting shochu since 1883 and where 2nd generation family member Kanosuke Komasa pioneered oak barrel-aged shochu in 1957. The distillery’s use of shochu-making techniques honed over 140 years, including vacuum distillation, the steaming of barley and the use of recharred shochu casks. They provide a unique flavor and place it at the cutting edge of Japan’s nascent craft whisky movement. These refined spirits are remarkable for their mellow yet complex flavors that enchant long-time whisky fans, yet are approachable to those new to whisky.
“We are very proud to share Kanosuke Distillery’s core range with American whisky connoisseurs,” says Yoshitsugu Komasa, 4th generation family member, Founder, CEO and Master Blender, Kanosuke Distillery. “I founded the Kanosuke Distillery to honor the vision of my grandfather, Kanosuke Komasa, who created the world’s first oak cask-aged shochu, Mellowed Kozuru, to spotlight this noble spirit using the universal language of whisky. We are excited to bring our whiskies to the U.S. and raise the visibility and prestige of Japanese spirits overall.”
A Seaside Location with a Unique Microclimate
The distillery is located on a 2.2-acre tract of land along Fukiagehama, a beach on the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture. While the tropical latitude affords warm and humid temperatures in summer, in the winter the East China Sea whips up strong frigid gusts and even snow flurries. This dramatic temperature differential accelerates the liquid exchange in the barrel thereby accelerating the whisky maturation process and helping to create mellow whiskies that have extraordinary depth of flavor.
Three Pots Stills vs. The Traditional Two
The two-story distillery house features three unique pot stills, compared to the typical two pot stills commonly found in similarly small distilleries. Each of the three pot stills has a different neck shape and lyne arm angle which yield uniquely rich and flavorful distillates to create the Kanosuke profile.
A Respect for Tradition Combined with Innovation
- Kanosuke Japanese Single Malt Whisky is made using all three of the distillery’s (Miyake) copper pot stills and incorporates Ex-Mellowed Kozuru Casks in its aging regimen
- Kanosuke Hioki Japanese Pot Still Grain Whisky is a unique Japanese whisky inspired by Irish pot still whiskey that leverages shochu making techniques
- Kanosuke Double Distillery Japanese Blended Whisky is a marriage of the best elements from Kanosuke Single Malt Whisky and Hioki Pot Still Single Grain Whisky by the grandsons of Kanosuke Komasa who now lead the Kanosuke and Hioki sister distilleries
Three Sublime Expressions of Japanese Whisky
- Kanosuke Japanese Single Malt Whisky
- Summary: The flagship of Kanosuke Distillery, this single malt is made using all three of the distillery’s Miyake copper pot stills
- Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Banana, lemon cake and Japanese confectionery
- Palate: Candied quince, ginger and campfire smoke
- Finish: Gentle, with notes of salty sea air
- Aging Regimen: Ex-Mellowed Kozuru Shochu Casks, ex-Sherry Butts, ex-Bourbon Barrels
- Age: No Age Statement, average age of whisky is 3-5 years
- ABV: 48%
- Size: 700ml
- MSRP: $99.99
- Filtering: Non-Chill Filtered
- Awards: 2023 and 2024 Gold – The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- Kanosuke Hioki Japanese Pot Still Grain Whisky
- Summary: A unique Japanese whisky inspired by Irish pot still whiskey
- Produced at sister distillery, Hioki Distillery, its mash bill includes both malted and unmalted barley
- Instead of traditional copper pot stills, it employs a stainless steel pot still and vacuum distillation used for shochu production
- Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Fresh cut wood, stone fruit and citrus
- Palate: Vanilla, orange marmalade and almonds
- Finish: Candied ginger
- Aging Regimen: New American Oak Puncheons and ex-Bourbon Barrels
- Age: No Age Statement, average age of whisky is 3+ years
- ABV: 51%
- Size: 700ml
- MSRP: $109.99
- Filtering: Non-Chill Filtered
- Awards: 2024 Gold – The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- Summary: A unique Japanese whisky inspired by Irish pot still whiskey
Kanosuke Double Distillery Japanese Blended Whisky
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- Summary: A marriage of Kanosuke Japanese Single Malt Whisky and Kanosuke Hioki Japanese Pot Still Single Grain Whisky by the grandsons of Kanosuke Komasa who now lead two sister distilleries, Kanosuke and Hioki
- Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Expressively floral with summer melon, stone fruit and lemongrass
- Palate: Rich bittersweet complexity with notes of black tea, clove, orange peel and raspberries
- Finish: Moderately oak, with a rich fruit aroma and a soft bitter aftertaste
- Aging Regimen: New American White Oak Puncheons, ex-Bourbon Barrels, ex-Recharred Shochu Casks and Sherry Butts
- Age: No Age Statement, average age of whisky is 3-5 years
- ABV: 53%
- Size: 700ml
- MSRP: $119.99
- Filtering: Non-Chill Filtered
- Awards: 2024 Silver – The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Kyushu Island, an Exciting Travel Destination
Japan’s southernmost island is famous for its whisky and shochu, food culture (pork, beef, chicken, fish and fermented seasonings), onsen, golf and sightseeing, including Sakurajima and other active volcanoes
About Kanosuke Distillery
The Kanosuke Distillery was founded in 2017 and is named after Kanosuke Komasa, the 2nd generation leader of its parent company, Komasa Jyozo. The distillery is located on a 2.2-acre tract of land along Fukiagehama, a beach on the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture. The two-story distillery house features three unique pot stills, compared to the typical two pot stills commonly found in similarly small distilleries. Each of the three pot stills has a different neck shape and lyne arm angle which yield uniquely rich and flavorful distillates to create the Kanosuke profile. Beyond Japan and the U.S., Kanosuke Distillery’s whiskies are sold in France, Germany, the UK, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. For more information, please visit https://kanosuke-en.com/.
