Constantly endeavouring to express the natural beauty of its home, Kagoshima's Kanosuke Distillery is giving us something to look forward to come 2026 with its new Kanosuke Single Malt 2026 Limited Edition that is said to express the full bloom of freshness through utilising the true art of cask finishing!

The new release is inspired by the essence of Fukiagehama (the beach that flanks Kanosuke Distillery, and is also one of the longest sand dunes in Japan) in Spring, which is beloved by locals for the fresh and herbaceous scent of the local Hamago flower (a shrub with purple flowers, producing the chasteberry) in the gentle sea breeze. Kanosuke hopes to capture this essence through the use of unique cask finishes.

At its base, the new Kanosuke Single Malt 2026 Limited Edition is composed of whiskies distilled in all three of its pot stills that's been then aged in a variety of casks, including ex-Shochu, Sherry, Bourbon and red wine casks, which have then been carefully vatted together to create a richer and mellower flavour. Yet for this new release, the whiskies aged in Bourbon barrels have been finished in apple brandy casks, whilst those aged in ex-Shochu recharred casks have been finished in white wine casks, both of which serves as the key malts for the Kanosuke 2026 Limited Edition.

The new Kanosuke Single Malt 2026 Limited Edition is thus said to offer gentle floral aromas, and on the palate soft sweetness reminiscent of yuzu bean paste and a long soothing echo of grapefruit and sea breeze aftertaste.

Official Tasting Notes

Fresh and vibrant. A gentle, refreshing "wa" sweetness.
The sweet-and-sour notes of citrus and a floral aroma are met by a soft refreshing sweetness reminiscent of yuzu paste. A gentle aftertaste of grapefruit and see breeze slowly unfolds.

Colour: Golden Amber

Aroma: Orange blossom, Apple peal, White grape, Beach vitex(flower)

Taste: Vanilla, Yuzu paste, Honey, Apple brandy

Finish: Grapefruit, apple peel and a gentle lingering spring sea breeze

The new Kanosuke Single Malt 2026 Limited Edition is bottled at 57% ABV, and will retail for 14,850 JPY (US$95.40).

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team