Kanosuke has been turning heads in Japanese whisky circles for good reason. The Double Distillery Blended Whisky brings together spirit from what the name suggests are two distinct distillery operations — a approach that speaks to the kind of considered blending philosophy Japan has made its own over the past two decades. At 53% ABV and without an age statement, this is a whisky that asks you to judge it on character rather than numbers. I respect that.
What strikes me first about this release is the confidence of bottling at cask strength. Too many NAS expressions hide behind low ABV and heavy filtration. Kanosuke has gone the other direction entirely — they've given you the whisky as it comes, unapologetic and full-throated. At just under £100, you're paying for a serious proposition, not a curiosity or a gateway dram. This is a whisky that expects your attention.
What to Expect
The "Double Distillery" designation and blended classification suggest a marriage of malt and grain components, or perhaps spirit from two separate production sites working in different styles. Either way, the result at 53% should deliver considerable weight and texture on the palate. Japanese blended whiskies at cask strength are relatively uncommon on UK shelves, which makes this something of a find. Expect the precision and balance that defines the best Japanese whisky-making, but with a muscularity that the high ABV demands. This is not a whisky that will fade into the background of your evening.
The Verdict
I'm giving the Kanosuke Double Distillery a score of 7.9 out of 10. It earns that mark through sheer commitment — cask strength bottling, no age statement pretension, and a price point that, while not cheap, sits comfortably below many comparable Japanese releases that trade more on scarcity than substance. The NAS designation means Kanosuke is asking you to trust their blenders, and at this ABV, there's nowhere for mediocre spirit to hide. That takes conviction. For anyone building a Japanese whisky collection beyond the usual Suntory and Nikka staples, this is exactly the kind of bottle that deserves shelf space. It represents a distillery still finding its voice internationally, but speaking with clear purpose.
Best Served
Pour this neat in a Glencairn and give it five minutes to open. At 53%, a few drops of cool water will unlock considerable complexity without diminishing the structure. If you're inclined toward a Japanese Highball — and with a whisky of this quality, you should be at least once — use a ratio of roughly one part whisky to two parts well-chilled soda, built over clear ice. The higher ABV means it holds its ground against dilution far better than most. I'd save the Highball for a warm evening; most of the time, this one deserves to be sipped slowly.
