Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still Japanese Whisky Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

The final member of Kanosuke’s current trio of whiskies is their Hioki Pot Still Whisky. The Hioki distillery was previously covered in our review of Kanosuke Double Distillery Whisky. Hioki used primarily to make shochu, a Japanese spirit that is similar to vodka in that it can be made with just about anything that will ferment (the traditional gamut runs from barley to rice to sweet potatoes); but unlike vodka, it is typically distilled to between 20 and 40% ABV.

Hioki is often described by observers as the grain whisky distillery for Kanosuke, but the only whisky to come out of it and appear in bottles thus far has not been grain, but instead an Irish style pot still whiskey. The distillery’s equipment includes a pair of stainless steel pot stills, this whisky is made with a mix of malted and unmalted barley, and in this expression is even called pot still whisky! This Japanese-made, Irish style whisky was aged in ex-bourbon barrels and new American oak casks, and bottled at 51% ABV.

The Whisky
The golden whisky had an airy, effervescent nose. It led with its malty, honeyed sweetness plus some vanilla wafer, but behind that sat a clutch of dry, tannic, unbrewed black tea leaves and dried thyme. The flavor built on that, with the vanilla wafer turning to separated vanilla and a hint of nuts, while that dry herbal and tannic aspect was better balanced out by a clutch of mixed citrus zest. The finish, however, felt quick and hurried, but was a little herbal and a little woody while it lasted.

The Price
A survey of retailers shows this 700ml bottle is going for between $85 and $100.