鹿之助酒廠

Kanosuke Distillery is located along the Fukiagehama Beach on the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, which is the longest beach in Japan. Komasa Jyozo, which is the parent company of Kanosuke Distillery was founded in 1883 by Komasa Ichisuke, and specialized in the Shochu making. In 1957, the second-generation president, Kanosuke Komasa (the Distillery name changed to Kanosuke Distillery around that time) released “Mellowed Kozuru”, the first shochu aged in oak cask.

The Kanosuke Whisky Distillery started operations in 2017 November, and released their first single malt Japanese Whisky in 2021. Kanosuke Distillery has three pot stills, while most distilleries of similar sizes over the world would have two. A unique aspect of maturation for the Kanosuke Distillery is the use the recharred ex-shochu casks for whisky aging as well. 

Today, Diageo also owns a minority stake in the Kanosuke Whisky Distillery.