Kanosuke Crane & Sky #4 for Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2024

Description

Kanosuke Crane & Sky #4 for Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2024 Bottling Note

Kanosuke Crane & Sky #4 for Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2024 is a limited-edition single malt Japanese whisky created for the prestigious Whisky Talk Fukuoka festival, a prominent event for whisky enthusiasts in Japan’s Kyushu region. This expression is the fourth installment in a series of special bottlings for the festival, with previous releases in 2022 and 2023. These exclusive festival bottlings have become a signature of the event, distinguishing themselves as a testament to the distillery’s relationship with the regional whisky community.

This particular whisky’s journey began with distillation in 2018. It was then left to mature for approximately six years in a unique combination of bourbon and red wine casks. The final bottling for the 2024 festival was done at a cask strength of 58% ABV and was not chill-filtered, preserving its full character. Only 258 bottles of this specific release were produced, making it a very small outturn.

Kanosuke Crane & Sky #4 for Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2024 Tasting Note

Nose: The aroma is immediately inviting, a complex tapestry of baked orchard fruits and confectionary delights. Notes of spiced apple pie and poached pears emerge, layered with a gentle hint of vanilla cream and cinnamon. There’s a faint suggestion of a sea breeze, a signature of the Kanosuke maturation environment, which provides a fresh, mineral-like backdrop to the sweeter elements.

Palate: On the tongue, this whisky presents a beautifully balanced and well-rounded profile. The sweetness from the nose translates into flavors of honeyed golden apples and a delicate apricot compote. This is followed by a rich custard cream and a touch of caramel sauce. The red wine cask influence makes its presence known with a subtle but firm tannic grip and a whisper of dark berries, while a gentle spiciness of white pepper and nutmeg provides a perfect counterpoint to the fruit.

Finish: The finish is medium to long and evolves with grace. The initial warmth gives way to a lingering sweetness of spiced apple sauce before a drier, more astringent character takes over. Hints of woody tannins and a delicate herbaceous note emerge, leaving the palate clean but with a memorable, sophisticated bitterness that encourages another sip.

Overall: Kanosuke Crane & Sky #4 is a masterfully crafted expression that perfectly embodies the distillery’s signature style. It is a harmonious blend of sweet, fruity, and spicy notes, all wrapped in a wonderfully uplifting texture. The balance between the rich baked goods and the subtle, elegant woody notes makes this a standout dram and a fantastic example of a modern Japanese whisky.