Kanosuke Single Malt Japanese Whisky 2022 (70cl, 59%)

Kanosuke Single Malt Japanese Whisky 2022 is a cask-strength single malt from Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima, bottled at 59% ABV in a 700ml bottle. It is the 2022 edition of the distillery's annual limited releases, and it is non-chill filtered with no colour added. The spirit was distilled between 2017 and 2019 and matured for roughly three years. Oloroso sherry casks form the core of the vatting, alongside re-charred American oak casks that previously held Mellowed Kozuru rice shochu, and ex-bourbon casks. The distillery's notes describe lemon tea, honey, ume plum and Japanese cinnamon on the nose, dried berries, coffee candy and old wood on the palate, and a spicy finish with a lingering bittersweetness.