Lately I feel like I’ve been reviewing a lot more Japanese whisky than usual, and I have to say, that’s not a bad thing at all.
Japanese whisky, I feel, is vastly misunderstood. People assume it’s essentially Scotch, albeit slightly tweaked, with a Japanese whisky label. In truth, it’s its own delicious dram entirely.
As you’ve probably guessed, today I’m going to be looking at Japanese whisky. Specifically, Japanese whisky from the Kanosuke Distillery.
Situated along the picturesque outskirts of Fukiagehama Beach, the distillery didn’t begin producing spirit until 2017. Despite being one of the newer kids on the block however, the whisky produced here is outstanding. The two-story distillery itself provides stunning sea views, a bar, a gift shop, and three pot stills with different neck shapes to create all manner of weird and wonderful whiskies.
Kanosuke Double Distillery Japanese Blended Whisky
What happens when a distillery combines two of its most popular whiskies together? You end up with something truly special, that’s what.
Kanosuke have combined their critically revered single malt with their Hioki Pot Still whisky, created with unmalted and malted barley at the Hioki distillery to create this truly special blended whisky.
Non-chill filtered, this blended malt is 53% ABV, yet tastes decidedly smoother. It’s a wonderful copper chestnut colour that’s one of the most interesting blended whiskies I’ve come across in some time.
On the nose, you should pick up aromas of sea salt, crisp honeydew apples, Madagascan vanilla, apricots, lemon drizzle cake, and toasted oak spice.
On the palate, those flavours really punch through. There’s vanilla cream and tinned peaches, apricot compote, toffee, evaporated milk, apples, drinking chocolate, toasted oak, and woody, peppery spices. There is a lot going on here so take time and let your tastebuds get acclimatised.
The finish is shorter than anticipated. There’s more toasted oak, ripe tropical fruits, vanilla, and a touch of dried barley straw.
Kanosuke Hioki Japanese Pot Still Grain Whisky
Produced at their sister site, Hioki Distillery, Kanosuke present their Hioki Pot Still Grain Whisky, and let me tell you, it’s like a breath of fresh air.
Hioki is the original birthplace of Kanosuke Distillery, so right away there’s a strong connection here which I love. I love when my whisky tells a story, and this dram from Kanosuke most definitely tells a story.
Matured in both ex-bourbon barrels and American oak casks, the end result is an aromatic, rich, luscious, full-bodied whisky that’s one of the easiest sippers you’ll ever encounter.
The whisky, which is a smooth 51% ABV, is a pale golden colour.
On the nose, you should get strong aromatics, caramel, vanilla custard, honeycomb, stewed plums, black tea, thyme, and citrus.
On the palate, the fruity notes really come through. Overripe plum is the dominant flavour here, along with honey, toasted almonds, cinnamon crunch cereal, and sticky dates. There’s also candied lemon peel, bitter marmalade, vanilla, and sweet oak.
The finish is lengthy and medicinal. There are more herb and spice notes here, combined with menthol, toasted oak, and vanilla. It’s also much smoother than that first sip would have you believe.
Kanosuke Single Malt Japanese Whisky
And now for Kanosuke’s flagship whisky, their single malt.
This 48% ABV single malt was aged in ex-Shochu and American white oak casks. Made with a small percentage of peated malt, there’s a definite smokiness to this dram. The amber toffee colour is also very pleasant on the eye.
On the nose, there are strong oaky notes from the casks. It also offers plenty of sweet toffee and honey aromas, vanilla, and summer fruits. Sniff hard enough and you should pick up just a suggestion of coal smoke, as if somebody had lit their fire far in the distance.
On the palate, there are bitter grapefruit flavours, tied together with lemon zest, golden syrup sponge, brandy, vanilla, and charred oak. Sip again, and there’s a definite peatiness, tied together with golden shortcake, demerara sugar, and sugared almonds.
The finish is medium and creamy. There are plenty of sherry notes here, with a drop of caramel and bitter dark chocolate. The mouthfeel isn’t oily, but at the same time isn’t watery either. What it is, though, is very pleasant.
If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a wee dram or two at the same time, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the impressive selection of whiskies we have available
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