Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still Japanese Single Grain Whisky

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jackson Wu — 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.

Daisy Miller — 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.

Marco Andretti — 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.

Elena Morozova — 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.

Farah Abboud — 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.

Ryan Mitchell — Good but the price gives me pause

7/10

Look, this is a well-made whisky. Smooth caramel and orchard fruit on the nose, pleasant sweetness with a bit of oak spice on the palate. But at nearly £95 for a single grain with no age statement, I keep thinking about what else I could buy. I'd happily drink it again, just not sure I'd repurchase at this price point.

Aiko Tanaka — Good but the price gives me pause

7/10

Look, this is a well-made whisky. Smooth caramel and orchard fruit on the nose, pleasant sweetness with a bit of oak spice on the palate. But at nearly £95 for a single grain with no age statement, I keep thinking about what else I could buy. I'd happily drink it again, just not sure I'd repurchase at this price point.

Natasha Volkov — Good but the price gives me pause

7/10

Look, this is a well-made whisky. Smooth caramel and orchard fruit on the nose, pleasant sweetness with a bit of oak spice on the palate. But at nearly £95 for a single grain with no age statement, I keep thinking about what else I could buy. I'd happily drink it again, just not sure I'd repurchase at this price point.