Kanosuke and a Strong Wind: Kanosuke 2018–2024 #18223, Chichibu Whisky Matsuri 2024

2026.10.05

In short: Kanosuke 2018–2024 #18223, bottled for the Chichibu Whisky Matsuri 2024, matured in recharred casks that once held Mellow Kozuru — the 1957 pioneer of cask-aged shochu. Plus memories of a very windy visit to Kanosuke Distillery’s ocean-view bar in Kagoshima. From Bar Little Happiness, Hiroshima.

Today, a special bottle from Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima!

“Kanosuke 2018–2024 #18223, Chichibu Whisky Matsuri 2024”

Seeing this bottle reminds me of when I went to an event at this distillery a few years ago.

That day, the wind was incredibly strong!

I couldn’t stay outside, so I hardly managed to take any photos… (sob)

(A bar counter with a wall of glass right in front of you! So wonderful!)

The view from the bar was so beautiful that it alone made the trip worthwhile!

The sunset there is said to be one of the most beautiful in Japan.

I only looked around briefly before leaving, so next time I definitely want to take my time exploring.

The greatest appeal of Kanosuke, that place full of memories, is

“We want to raise the value of shochu!”

— the fact that it began from this passionate wish of the brand.

At the source of that DNA is “Mellow Kozuru,” born in 1957.

At that time, shochu was always “clear and colourless.”

Mellow Kozuru brought in a revolutionary idea that overturned the common sense of the day: “If we age shochu in casks like whisky, won’t it taste even better?”

Truly the pioneer of cask-aged shochu in Japan!

(A charring demonstration!!)

This “Kanosuke 2018–2024 #18223” is a limited bottling prepared for the whisky festival held once a year in Chichibu.

Casks once used to mature Mellow Kozuru were recharred and used again.

Whisky fans come from all over the world to this event, and the limited bottles are fought over every year!

Here are the tasting notes for this special bottle.

Official tasting notes

• Nose: Toast with plenty of honey, cinnamon, maple syrup, sweet oak, sandalwood, then white pepper and heather flowers.
• Palate: Barley sugar, marron glacé, candied fruit, dried apricot, lychee, muscat, cantaloupe melon, watermelon ice lolly.
• Finish: Yatsuhashi (Kyoto cinnamon sweets), citrus peel, bubblegum, chestnut and banana inner skin, ginger, red pepper spice.

This year’s Chichibu Whisky Matsuri is this weekend (as of February 2026)!

I can’t go, but every year I enjoy looking at the social media posts of people who went ❣️

Every encounter is meant to be. Welcome to the world of Rum&Whisky.

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