Kagoshima’s Kanosuke Distillery is updating their Kansouke New Born for late 2019. While the name of the bottle remains the same, it’s now matured for 18 months in Bourbon casks rather than 8 months in shochu casks.
The 2018 edition of the New Born was quite good, I thought. Given the use of a Bourbon cask for this year’s release, I would be quite interested to see what difference it makes. In fact, Kanosuke looks to be trying to set expectations: the label now reads “Matured 16 Months in Bourbon Casks” rather than “Mellowed For 8 Mos. in White Oak Casks”
For the 2019 version, they offer the following tasting notes:
- Color: Slightly reddish gold
- Nose: vanilla, sea spray, mint, caramel
- Palate: spicy, pear, woody, bitter
- Finish: mellow, soft, and lasting
Kanosuke Distillery was awarded “Best Newcomer” as well as “Best Japanese Craft Distillery” at this year’s Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition. 2020’s TWSC will have a category specifically for New Born Japanese Whiskies, so it’s likely this 2019 New Born bottle will face more competition.
Confusing as it may be. This 2019 New Born is a separate release from the new Single Cask New Born series we’re now seeing out of the distillery. In theory, this 2019 New Born should be much easier to come by than the Single Cask bottles. The latter bottles are only sold at the distillery and Kanosuke’s online shop, while 2019 New Born is supposed to be available nationwide.
No specific release date yet besides “late October.” 200ml / 57% abv / 3200 yen before tax.
I’ll definitely be trying to get my hands on a bottle, so keep an eye out for my review!
Hi there! I created and run nomunication.jp. I’ve lived in Tokyo since 2008, and I am a certified Shochu Kikisake-shi/Shochu Sommelier (焼酎唎酒師), Cocktail Professor (カクテル検定１級), and I hold Whisky Kentei Levels 3 and JW (ウイスキー検定３級・JW級). I also sit on the Executive Committees for the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition and Japanese Whisky Day. Click here for more details about me and this site. Kampai!