Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still Japanese Single Grain Whisky

Jason Steel — One of the best Japanese grains I've had

9/10

Poured this for a few friends on a Saturday night and we were all genuinely impressed. The nose is gorgeous — fresh pastry, ripe pear, a touch of coconut. On the palate it's silky with butterscotch and gentle baking spices. At 51% it carries real weight without any burn. Yes it's pricey but I think it's worth it for something this unique.

Connor McBride — One of the best Japanese grains I've had

9/10

Poured this for a few friends on a Saturday night and we were all genuinely impressed. The nose is gorgeous — fresh pastry, ripe pear, a touch of coconut. On the palate it's silky with butterscotch and gentle baking spices. At 51% it carries real weight without any burn. Yes it's pricey but I think it's worth it for something this unique.

Penelope Hart — One of the best Japanese grains I've had

9/10

Poured this for a few friends on a Saturday night and we were all genuinely impressed. The nose is gorgeous — fresh pastry, ripe pear, a touch of coconut. On the palate it's silky with butterscotch and gentle baking spices. At 51% it carries real weight without any burn. Yes it's pricey but I think it's worth it for something this unique.

Alex Ramos — One of the best Japanese grains I've had

9/10

Poured this for a few friends on a Saturday night and we were all genuinely impressed. The nose is gorgeous — fresh pastry, ripe pear, a touch of coconut. On the palate it's silky with butterscotch and gentle baking spices. At 51% it carries real weight without any burn. Yes it's pricey but I think it's worth it for something this unique.

Marianne Blom — One of the best Japanese grains I've had

9/10

Poured this for a few friends on a Saturday night and we were all genuinely impressed. The nose is gorgeous — fresh pastry, ripe pear, a touch of coconut. On the palate it's silky with butterscotch and gentle baking spices. At 51% it carries real weight without any burn. Yes it's pricey but I think it's worth it for something this unique.

Ayako Hirano — Solid daily-ish pour

7/10

I keep coming back to this one with a single ice cube after dinner. It's approachable but interesting — sweet corn, vanilla cream, dried apricot, with a medium finish that fades into gentle oak. Not going to blow your mind but it's consistently enjoyable. The Hioki pot still gives it more depth than your typical grain whisky, which helps justify the £95 somewhat.

Gianluca Ferro — Solid daily-ish pour

7/10

I keep coming back to this one with a single ice cube after dinner. It's approachable but interesting — sweet corn, vanilla cream, dried apricot, with a medium finish that fades into gentle oak. Not going to blow your mind but it's consistently enjoyable. The Hioki pot still gives it more depth than your typical grain whisky, which helps justify the £95 somewhat.

Sara Lindstrom — Solid daily-ish pour

7/10

I keep coming back to this one with a single ice cube after dinner. It's approachable but interesting — sweet corn, vanilla cream, dried apricot, with a medium finish that fades into gentle oak. Not going to blow your mind but it's consistently enjoyable. The Hioki pot still gives it more depth than your typical grain whisky, which helps justify the £95 somewhat.

Haruki Sato — Nice but not essential

6/10

I tried this at a tasting event and thought it was pleasant enough. Gentle sweetness, some vanilla and light citrus, clean finish. My issue is it doesn't really stand out — for a pot still grain at cask strength-adjacent ABV I wanted more character. It's fine whisky, just not one that made me reach for my wallet afterward.

Priscilla Nunes — Nice but not essential

6/10

I tried this at a tasting event and thought it was pleasant enough. Gentle sweetness, some vanilla and light citrus, clean finish. My issue is it doesn't really stand out — for a pot still grain at cask strength-adjacent ABV I wanted more character. It's fine whisky, just not one that made me reach for my wallet afterward.

Zoe Chen — Nice but not essential

6/10

I tried this at a tasting event and thought it was pleasant enough. Gentle sweetness, some vanilla and light citrus, clean finish. My issue is it doesn't really stand out — for a pot still grain at cask strength-adjacent ABV I wanted more character. It's fine whisky, just not one that made me reach for my wallet afterward.

Tyler Bennet — Surprisingly complex for a grain whisky

8/10

I grabbed this on a whim expecting something light and simple, but Kanosuke really delivered here. At 51% it's got serious presence — creamy vanilla, toasted corn, and this lovely tropical fruit note that lingers. Added a few drops of water and it opened up even more. Japanese grain whisky is having a moment and this is a great example of why.

Emily Thomas — Surprisingly complex for a grain whisky

8/10

I grabbed this on a whim expecting something light and simple, but Kanosuke really delivered here. At 51% it's got serious presence — creamy vanilla, toasted corn, and this lovely tropical fruit note that lingers. Added a few drops of water and it opened up even more. Japanese grain whisky is having a moment and this is a great example of why.

Celeste Moreno — Surprisingly complex for a grain whisky

8/10

I grabbed this on a whim expecting something light and simple, but Kanosuke really delivered here. At 51% it's got serious presence — creamy vanilla, toasted corn, and this lovely tropical fruit note that lingers. Added a few drops of water and it opened up even more. Japanese grain whisky is having a moment and this is a great example of why.

Nils Bergman — Solid daily-ish pour

7/10

I keep coming back to this one with a single ice cube after dinner. It's approachable but interesting — sweet corn, vanilla cream, dried apricot, with a medium finish that fades into gentle oak. Not going to blow your mind but it's consistently enjoyable. The Hioki pot still gives it more depth than your typical grain whisky, which helps justify the £95 somewhat.

Luna Chavez — Solid daily-ish pour

7/10

I keep coming back to this one with a single ice cube after dinner. It's approachable but interesting — sweet corn, vanilla cream, dried apricot, with a medium finish that fades into gentle oak. Not going to blow your mind but it's consistently enjoyable. The Hioki pot still gives it more depth than your typical grain whisky, which helps justify the £95 somewhat.

Natalie Ford — Nice but not essential

6/10

I tried this at a tasting event and thought it was pleasant enough. Gentle sweetness, some vanilla and light citrus, clean finish. My issue is it doesn't really stand out — for a pot still grain at cask strength-adjacent ABV I wanted more character. It's fine whisky, just not one that made me reach for my wallet afterward.

Luciano Bianchi — Nice but not essential

6/10

I tried this at a tasting event and thought it was pleasant enough. Gentle sweetness, some vanilla and light citrus, clean finish. My issue is it doesn't really stand out — for a pot still grain at cask strength-adjacent ABV I wanted more character. It's fine whisky, just not one that made me reach for my wallet afterward.

Camila Ortiz — Kanosuke does it again

8/10

Been following Kanosuke since their early releases and the Hioki pot still stuff is consistently impressive. This one drinks way above what you'd expect from a grain whisky — rich, oily texture with honey, coconut, and a hint of white pepper. The 51% ABV is a sweet spot, enough punch without being aggressive. Had it neat over two evenings and enjoyed every pour.

Henrik Larsen — Kanosuke does it again

8/10

Been following Kanosuke since their early releases and the Hioki pot still stuff is consistently impressive. This one drinks way above what you'd expect from a grain whisky — rich, oily texture with honey, coconut, and a hint of white pepper. The 51% ABV is a sweet spot, enough punch without being aggressive. Had it neat over two evenings and enjoyed every pour.