Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Kanosuke.
Bottler: Distillery.
Region: Japan Single Malt.
ABV: 59%. Cask Strength.
Age: N/A. Bottled in 2023.
Cask type: Sherry, Recharred Shochu Casks.
Nose: Dried fruits and lacquered wood gestured toward the influence of the sherry casks; brown sugar, herbal spice with mild pipe tobacco and clove, cigar box, pine wood and resin.
Palate: Medium-bodied, pine and sandalwood upfront with earthy ginger and sarsaparilla; black cherry and licorice brought old-fashioned sodas to mind with a mellow nuttiness, hints of chocolate, and some lingering tobacco.
Finish: Medium to long with sarsaparilla, cherry, and licorice.
Mental Image: A Tease from the Future.
Conclusion: An interesting release and my favorite Kanosuke so far! It was no one-trick pony as it combined peated and unpeated malt with shochu and sherry casks. Though it featured peated malt, I did not get much in the way of smoke or char. Was that the sasparilla and licorice notes I picked up? However, those seem more likely to come from the re-charred shochu casks. The influence of the sherry maturation was far more prevalent on the nose and well-integrated into the background on the palate.
Overall, I enjoyed this and look forward to trying future releases.
Final Score: 80.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 