Kanosuke Distillery: History, Owner and Visitor Guide
Updated: 1 hour ago
Kanosuke Distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery in Kagoshima Prefecture, run by the shochu maker Komasa Jyozo. It sits near Fukiagehama, Japan's longest sand beach, facing the East China Sea.
In this guide
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Kanosuke at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery | Kanosuke |
Country / region | Kagoshima, Japan |
Owner / producer | Komasa Jyozo |
History | Komasa Jyozo started as a shochu maker. A French language news report says the company has produced traditional spirits since 1883, and that its barrel aged shochu Mellow Kozuru was a pioneering… |
Whisky identity | Coastal Japanese malt and blended malt releases |
Visiting | Check the current official visiting arrangements before travelling. |
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Kanosuke at a glance
Location: Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, near Fukiagehama beach
Operator: Komasa Jyozo, a family shochu company
President: Yoshitsugu Komasa, fourth generation
Motto: Mellow Land, Mellow Whisky
Investor: Diageo, minority stake announced September 2021
History of Kanosuke
Komasa Jyozo started as a shochu maker. A French language news report says the company has produced traditional spirits since 1883, and that its barrel aged shochu Mellow Kozuru was a pioneering product. Yoshitsugu Komasa began as a salesman for the company and found it hard to market shochu abroad. After taking over he turned to whisky as a global language that could draw interest back to his family's shochu.
The distillery faces the sea, and its warehouses are ventilated with sea spray. Winter winds and temperature differences between the Kagoshima inland and the East China Sea create a dynamic climate that is said to speed maturation. The whisky is matured partly in shochu aged casks and in shochu warehouses, and a Malaysian press report describes a three pot distillation process.
Diageo investment
In September 2021 Diageo announced a minority stake in Kanosuke through Distill Ventures, its drinks incubator. It was Diageo's first move into Japanese whisky. Komasa Jyozo kept majority ownership and day to day management. The deal included an option for a closer joint venture. The stated aims were to boost whisky production, develop new products and expand global sales and marketing.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Kanosuke?
Komasa Jyozo holds the majority. Diageo, through Distill Ventures, holds a minority stake announced in 2021.
Where is it?
In Kagoshima Prefecture, near Fukiagehama beach. A whisky database lists the Hioki production site in Kagoshima.
Licence, first spirits and first bottlings
Whiskies.wiki describes the distillery as standing on a terrace facing the East China Sea at Fukiagehama, in Hiyoshi, Hioki City, Kagoshima. It was opened by the shochu maker Komasa Jyozo, founded in 1883, and has produced since November 2017. A Fukuoka whisky bar blog confirms that the distillery received its whisky manufacturing licence on 9 November 2017.
A Japanese-language profile says fourth generation president Yoshitsugu Komasa launched the distillery in November 2017 and that its first spirit product, Komasa Gin, went on sale in 2018. The same bar blog records a Kanosuke New Born 2018 bottling at 57% ABV, two years old and finished in a white wine cask, and says a first full bottle release was planned for 2021.
Early single malt editions
Nissyoku reported in November 2021 that Kanosuke's second single malt edition, Single Malt Kanosuke 2021 Second Edition, was bottled at 57% ABV in a 700ml size. The bar blog also noted that Whisky Talk Fukuoka was to release a private single cask series from the distillery, and called Kanosuke a third pillar of Japanese whisky single malt series after Ichiro's Malt and Mars.
The official English site was not reachable when we tried it, so stills, capacity and the current range are not covered here. Wikipedia has no Kanosuke article.
Sources and gaps
Sources: 88 Bamboo news article of 8 September 2021, plus search summaries from Le Petit Journal (2 October 2024), The Star Malaysia (6 September 2024) and Peated. Not confirmed: the year the distillery was founded, number and type of stills, current range and strengths, and visitor information. Wikipedia has no Kanosuke article. The official Kanosuke site was not loaded.
Further sources read on 21 October 2026: Fukuhaku Tsunagu Bungeisha note post of 10 December 2020, a Whiskies.wiki producer entry, and a Nissyoku news item of November 2021.
What makes Kanosuke distinctive?
Coastal Japanese malt and blended malt releases.
Kanosuke whisky bottles and releases
The following expressions are documented in producer or release sources. Special editions can be sold out and some blended labels include sourced whisky.
Bottle or expression | Age or release | ABV | Producer documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
Kanosuke Single Malt | NAS | Check label | Coastal Japanese single malt |
Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still | NAS | Check label | Produced at Hioki, not entirely Kanosuke |
Kanosuke Double Distillery | NAS | Check label | Blend of two sites |
The table records named expressions, not live stock. Bottle strength and cask treatment can vary by market and release. Always consult the producer.
More distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Kanosuke
Where is Kanosuke based?
Kagoshima, Japan.
Who owns Kanosuke?
Komasa Jyozo.
What is notable about Kanosuke?
Coastal Japanese malt and blended malt releases.
Which bottles does Kanosuke have?
Kanosuke Single Malt, Kanosuke Double Distillery. Releases and availability change.
Can you visit Kanosuke?
Check the distillery's official visitor or tour information before making travel plans.
Sources and editorial checks
The original history, references and research remain in this guide. Whisky range and visitor information 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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