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.
Community Reviews
Aria Kim
Kanosuke keeps impressing me
9/10
I've been following Kanosuke since their early releases and this blended expression is fantastic. Rich caramel and dried apricot on the nose, then white pepper and citrus peel that lingers. The 53% ABV gives it real presence without being harsh. One of my favourite pours this year.
25 March 2026
James Okafor
Kanosuke keeps impressing me
9/10
I've been following Kanosuke since their early releases and this blended expression is fantastic. Rich caramel and dried apricot on the nose, then white pepper and citrus peel that lingers. The 53% ABV gives it real presence without being harsh. One of my favourite pours this year.
25 March 2026
Elena Vasquez
Kanosuke keeps impressing me
9/10
I've been following Kanosuke since their early releases and this blended expression is fantastic. Rich caramel and dried apricot on the nose, then white pepper and citrus peel that lingers. The 53% ABV gives it real presence without being harsh. One of my favourite pours this year.
25 March 2026
Marcus Chen
Kanosuke keeps impressing me
9/10
I've been following Kanosuke since their early releases and this blended expression is fantastic. Rich caramel and dried apricot on the nose, then white pepper and citrus peel that lingers. The 53% ABV gives it real presence without being harsh. One of my favourite pours this year.
6 March 2026
Sophia Laurent
Kanosuke keeps impressing me
9/10
I've been following Kanosuke since their early releases and this blended expression is fantastic. Rich caramel and dried apricot on the nose, then white pepper and citrus peel that lingers. The 53% ABV gives it real presence without being harsh. One of my favourite pours this year.
5 March 2026
Tyler Bennet
Nice sipper, nothing crazy
7/10
Had this at a tasting night and thought it was pleasant enough. Sweet malt and a hint of coconut, finishes a bit short for my taste. I prefer their single cask stuff honestly, but on the rocks after dinner this does the job fine.
9 January 2026
Emily Thomas
Nice sipper, nothing crazy
7/10
Had this at a tasting night and thought it was pleasant enough. Sweet malt and a hint of coconut, finishes a bit short for my taste. I prefer their single cask stuff honestly, but on the rocks after dinner this does the job fine.
9 January 2026
Celeste Moreno
Nice sipper, nothing crazy
7/10
Had this at a tasting night and thought it was pleasant enough. Sweet malt and a hint of coconut, finishes a bit short for my taste. I prefer their single cask stuff honestly, but on the rocks after dinner this does the job fine.
9 January 2026
Olivia Wong
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Nose is all honey and stone fruit, which I really enjoyed neat. The palate has some nice spice and malt character at cask strength. At nearly a hundred quid though, I think you can find similar quality Japanese whisky for less. Solid but not a repeat purchase for me.
27 December 2025
Sara Lindstrom
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Nose is all honey and stone fruit, which I really enjoyed neat. The palate has some nice spice and malt character at cask strength. At nearly a hundred quid though, I think you can find similar quality Japanese whisky for less. Solid but not a repeat purchase for me.
27 December 2025
Yasmine Najjar
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Nose is all honey and stone fruit, which I really enjoyed neat. The palate has some nice spice and malt character at cask strength. At nearly a hundred quid though, I think you can find similar quality Japanese whisky for less. Solid but not a repeat purchase for me.
26 December 2025
Erik Strom
Nice sipper, nothing crazy
7/10
Had this at a tasting night and thought it was pleasant enough. Sweet malt and a hint of coconut, finishes a bit short for my taste. I prefer their single cask stuff honestly, but on the rocks after dinner this does the job fine.
21 December 2025
Benjamin Ross
Nice sipper, nothing crazy
7/10
Had this at a tasting night and thought it was pleasant enough. Sweet malt and a hint of coconut, finishes a bit short for my taste. I prefer their single cask stuff honestly, but on the rocks after dinner this does the job fine.
21 December 2025
Oscar Delgado
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Nose is all honey and stone fruit, which I really enjoyed neat. The palate has some nice spice and malt character at cask strength. At nearly a hundred quid though, I think you can find similar quality Japanese whisky for less. Solid but not a repeat purchase for me.
7 December 2025
Grace Kim
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Nose is all honey and stone fruit, which I really enjoyed neat. The palate has some nice spice and malt character at cask strength. At nearly a hundred quid though, I think you can find similar quality Japanese whisky for less. Solid but not a repeat purchase for me.
7 December 2025
Ryan Mitchell
Great with a splash of water
8/10
Bought this on a whim and I'm glad I did. Straight from the bottle it's quite hot at 53%, but add a teaspoon of water and you get waves of orchard fruit, toffee, and gentle smoke. The £99 price tag stung a bit but the complexity justifies it. Would recommend sharing with mates who think Japanese whisky is all Hibiki and Yamazaki.
21 November 2025
Natasha Volkov
Great with a splash of water
8/10
Bought this on a whim and I'm glad I did. Straight from the bottle it's quite hot at 53%, but add a teaspoon of water and you get waves of orchard fruit, toffee, and gentle smoke. The £99 price tag stung a bit but the complexity justifies it. Would recommend sharing with mates who think Japanese whisky is all Hibiki and Yamazaki.
21 November 2025
Kwame Mensah
Great with a splash of water
8/10
Bought this on a whim and I'm glad I did. Straight from the bottle it's quite hot at 53%, but add a teaspoon of water and you get waves of orchard fruit, toffee, and gentle smoke. The £99 price tag stung a bit but the complexity justifies it. Would recommend sharing with mates who think Japanese whisky is all Hibiki and Yamazaki.
21 November 2025
Gianluca Ferro
Punches well above blends
8/10
For a blended Japanese whisky this drinks more like a single malt. At 53% it opens up beautifully with a few drops of water — tropical fruit, a bit of vanilla, and this lovely dry oak finish. I'd buy another bottle if I found one.
18 November 2025
Nils Bergman
Punches well above blends
8/10
For a blended Japanese whisky this drinks more like a single malt. At 53% it opens up beautifully with a few drops of water — tropical fruit, a bit of vanilla, and this lovely dry oak finish. I'd buy another bottle if I found one.
18 November 2025
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