Kanosuke x Saburomaru – Kanosuke Collaboration Series 01 (70cl, 50%)

Kanosuke Collaboration Series 01 is a Japanese blended malt in a 70cl bottle at 50% ABV. It is the first release in the Kanosuke Collaboration Series, made by Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima with Saburomaru Distillery in Toyama, through a cask-exchange programme between the two. Master Blender Yoshitsugu Komasa built it on Kanosuke's own spirit, with Saburomaru's peated malt layered on top. The idea is called Mellow Meets Peated: the peat adds structure without overpowering the fruity base. The nose is grapefruit, lychee and green apple with a gentle coastal breeze. The palate brings honey, citrus sweetness, vanilla and passion fruit, with spice and a little iodine. The finish is softly smoky.