Kanosuke Distillery: History, Owner and Facts and FAQ
Updated: 7 hours ago
Kanosuke Distillery sits on the Fukiagehama coast in Hioki, Kagoshima Prefecture, on the southwest tip of Kyushu. It was set up in 2017 by Komasa Jozo, a shochu producer that has been making spirits in Kagoshima since 1883.
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Kanosuke at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | Kanosuke |
Country and region | Kagoshima, Japan |
Ownership / operator | Komasa Jozo |
History or founding | Komasa Jozo has made shochu in Kagoshima since 1883. Kanosuke Distillery takes its name from Kanosuke Komasa, the second generation president, who created Japan's first barrel aged… |
Whisky identity | Coastal Japanese producer of single malt and pot still whisky, with Hioki spirit in some releases |
Visiting | Check the producer's current website for tours, visitor access and bookings. |
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Where is Kanosuke distillery?
At 845-3 Kaminokawa, Hiyoshi-cho, Hioki City, Kagoshima 899-2421, Japan. The official visitor page describes a view over the East China Sea and one of Japan's three largest sand dunes.
At a glance
Owner: Komasa Jozo, a family shochu company founded in 1883
Established: 2017, as the company's whisky distillery
Stills: three pot stills with different neck shapes and angles (Kyushu Tourism Organization)
Sister site: Hioki Distillery, across the road, where most of the company's shochu is made
History
Komasa Jozo has made shochu in Kagoshima since 1883. Kanosuke Distillery takes its name from Kanosuke Komasa, the second generation president, who created Japan's first barrel aged rice shochu, called Mellowed Kozuru. The company says it uses shochu making know-how in its whisky, and calls the result Mellow Whisky.
Current range
The official site, read on 20 October 2026, lists three core bottlings and several limited editions.
Kanosuke Single Malt, 48% ABV, the flagship
Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still, 51% ABV, made at Hioki Distillery
Kanosuke Double Distillery, 53% ABV, a blended Japanese whisky
Limited editions listed: Artist Edition #005, Single Malt IPA Cask Finish, Single Malt 2026 Limited Edition and Single Malt Sherry Casks Vatted
Awards
The official site shows medals for the core range, including International Spirits Challenge 2023 gold for the Single Malt, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 gold for the Single Malt and Hioki Pot Still, and World Whiskies Awards 2025 gold and a category win for Double Distillery. In March 2026 the distillery's Roland Ng was named World's Best Brand Ambassador at the World Whiskies Awards Icons of Whisky.
Visiting Kanosuke
The distillery offers tours by reservation, where visitors see the stills and fermentation tanks. The tour ends at The Mellow Bar, with a 10 metre single slab counter and a tasting. Listed hours are 10:00 to 17:00 and the phone number is +81-99-201-7700. Check before you travel.
Official website: kanosuke.com.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Kanosuke?
Komasa Jozo, a shochu producer in Kagoshima.
When was it founded?
2017, by a company that has made shochu since 1883.
Who is Kanosuke named after?
Kanosuke Komasa, the company's second generation president.
What is the difference between Kanosuke and Hioki?
Kanosuke Distillery makes only whisky. Hioki Distillery, across the road, makes most of the company's shochu, and also the spirit for Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still.
Sources and gaps
Facts come from the official Kanosuke site (read 20 October 2026) and the
Gaps: still sizes, capacity, the exact opening month, tour prices and the About page were not read, and there is no Wikipedia article. Whisky Clan does not publish tasting notes in its distillery profiles.
What makes Kanosuke distinctive?
Coastal Japanese producer of single malt and pot still whisky, with Hioki spirit in some releases
Kanosuke whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Kanosuke Single Malt | NAS / varies | Check label | Coastal Japanese producer of single malt and pot still whisky, with Hioki spirit in some releases |
Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still | NAS / varies | Check label | Coastal Japanese producer of single malt and pot still whisky, with Hioki spirit in some releases |
Kanosuke Double Distillery | NAS / varies | Check label | Coastal Japanese producer of single malt and pot still whisky, with Hioki spirit in some releases |
These expressions are documented or historical references, not a live shop catalogue. Check the official producer for current age, ABV, release date and stock.
Explore other whisky distilleries
Frequently asked questions about Kanosuke
Where is Kanosuke?
Kagoshima, Japan.
Who is behind Kanosuke?
Komasa Jozo.
What is special about Kanosuke?
Coastal Japanese producer of single malt and pot still whisky, with Hioki spirit in some releases.
Which whisky expressions are documented?
Kanosuke Single Malt, Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still, Kanosuke Double Distillery. Stock and exact distillation origin may vary.
Can you visit Kanosuke?
Check the current distillery website for tours and opening arrangements before travelling.
Sources and editorial checks
Whisky Clan retains the original history and sources above. Ownership, whisky range and visitor conditions may change.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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