Kanosuke Double Distillery Blended Japanese Whisky
Kanosuke Double Distillery Blended Japanese Whisky is a 106-proof (53% ABV) Japanese blended whisky in a 700mL bottle — a collaboration between two sister distilleries in Kagoshima, blending Kanosuke single malt with Hioki pot still whisky, aged an average of three to five years. Non-chill filtered, no added colouring. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 106 proof (53% ABV)
- Size: 700mL
- Blend: lightly peated Kanosuke single malt (100% malted barley) + Hioki pot still whisky (malted and unmalted barley); 100% barley
- Maturation: average 3–5 years in new American oak, re-charred Mellowed Kozuru shochu casks, sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks
- Distilleries: Kanosuke and Hioki, Kagoshima, Japan — a collaboration by the grandsons of founder Kanosuke Komasa
Two Distilleries, One Family
Double Distillery exists because the Komasa family runs two of them: Kanosuke, with its three Miyake copper pot stills, and Hioki, where a stainless steel pot still and vacuum distillation — techniques borrowed from shochu making — produce an Irish-style pot still whisky from malted and unmalted barley. The two spirits are aged together at Kanosuke in shochu, bourbon, sherry and new oak casks, then blended to show each side at once: malt depth from Kanosuke, creamy grain softness from Hioki. Explore more from the Kanosuke Distillery collection and the Japanese whisky aisle at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per the importer's profile: a floral nose of summer melon, stone fruit and lemongrass over vanilla and mint; a rich, bittersweet palate of black tea, orange peel, clove and raspberry; a lingering finish with oak, a touch of bitterness and fruit.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a single large cube — at 106 proof it carries dilution well. It also makes an exceptional highball: the melon and citrus notes lift beautifully with soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called "Double Distillery"?
It blends whisky distilled at two sister distilleries — Kanosuke (single malt) and Hioki (pot still grain whisky) — both run by the Komasa family in Kagoshima.
Is it a malt or a grain whisky?
Both: a blend of Kanosuke single malt and Hioki pot still whisky made from malted and unmalted barley — 100% barley throughout.
Has it won awards?
Retailers report Gold in the blended category at the 2025 World's Whiskies Awards and Silver at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
A blend with an actual family story behind it — add Kanosuke Double Distillery to your cart online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.