Kanosuke 6 Year Old 2018 Chichibu Whisky Matsuri Limited Edition Single 1st Fill Bourbon Cask #19048 Japanese Single Malt Whisky (2025) 70cl
1 of 186 bottles produced exclusively for the Chichibu Saitama Whisky Matsuri (Festival) in Japan. It is rare for one of these to escape from Japan as many are opened up during the festival for tasting, and shared out amongst festival goers. It is traditional to open up bottles one wins at these festivals under the raffle system and also does wonders for one's reputation of course as a whisky drinker, sharer.
This is the second time a Kanosuke bottle has become the official edition of the Chichibu Whisky Festival. The selection was made by the festival’s executive committee, who chose the Kanosuke 2018 Bourbon Cask after visiting the Kanosuke distillery, located in Hioki, Kagoshima Prefecture, in November 2024. The limited edition was meticulously prepared, selected, and bottled by the committee to celebrate this key event in the Japanese whisky scene.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: This youthful Kanosuke bursts with fresh green apple and pear, accented by bubblegum sweetness. Deeper exploration reveals vanilla custard, cereal grain, and a gentle warmth with hints of cinnamon and white pepper (likely from the re-charred cask).
Palate: Surprisingly creamy for its age, the whisky mirrors the nose in its initial sweetness (green apple, pear, honey). The re-charred cask influence emerges with waves of cinnamon, clove, and ginger, creating a pleasant oaky spice that lingers alongside white pepper without overpowering the delicate fruit notes.
Finish: Medium-length finish with lingering warmth and a drying sensation. Green apple and pear fade first, giving way to spicy oak and a touch of dark chocolate bitterness. A hint of floral honey adds a touch of complexity at the very end.
Overall: This Kanosuke single cask bottling offers a fascinating look at the young distillery’s maturing spirit. Despite its youth, it exhibits surprising balance with delightful interplay between fresh fruit, creamy sweetness, and the warming influence of the re-charred cask.
ABOUT KANOSUKE
A craft Japanese whisky distillery located in Hioki, Kagoshima, offering view of the sunset over the sea. Utilizing three pot stills and re-charred casks, the distillery creates a rich, elegant flavour through its unique techniques. By blending distillation techniques and aging techniques with the sea breeze from Fukiagehama and the abundant nature of the southern islands, Kanosuke Distillery cultivates its signature mellow taste.
KANOSUKE DISTILLERY overlooks Japan’s longest sand beach, a beautiful, white strip that stretches as far as the eye can see. This is Fukiagehama, one of the country’s three largest sand dunes, which extends about 50 kilometres north to south through three municipalities: Ichikikushikino, Hioki, and Minamisatsuma.
The East China Sea is calm in the summer, but the fierce winter winds whip up the sea waters occasionally, making for a unique climate within the warm Kagoshima Prefecture. The region is blessed with an abundance of crystal-clear groundwater, filtered and purified as it runs down the Shirasu Plateau.
The shochu distillery "Hioki Distillery," the parent company of "Kanosuke Distillery," has long-standing ties to Hiyoshi Town in Hioki City, an area known for Fukiagehama and green mountains. The Komasa family, the founding family, originally produced sacred sake for Hachiman Shrine in Hiyoshi, Kagoshima. While deeply rooted in the local culture and history, the family has continuously adapted to the changing times, always pursuing innovation.
58% ABV
70cl
