Kanosuke Single Malt Artist Edition #004 (70cl, 50%)

This is the fourth release in Kanosuke's Artist Edition series, bottled at 50% ABV in a 70cl bottle. The series draws on the Japanese Five Elements philosophy, and this edition takes its inspiration from Metal (Gon). The gold brush-style label was designed by the Japanese artist Keiko Yuasa. It is a vatting of unpeated spirits from the distillery's three pot stills in Hioki, Kagoshima. The core is a fruity spirit from Spirits Still 2, joined by triple-distilled bourbon barrel spirit, and the whisky was finished in Islay casks. The distillery notes a nose of cut wood, rosehip, strawberry jam, nutmeg and sea breeze. The palate offers iodine peat, honey, salted candy, lychee, white pepper and Japanese citrus, and the finish is gently sweet with orange marmalade and a lingering sea breeze.