Kanosuke's Artist Series finally wraps up after four years and five releases, each of which featuring the work of a specially commissioned artist paying homage to the Japanese Five Elements philosophy.

The Five Elements philosophy tells us that humans must live in balance of the five key elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Sky - which together represents the physical, mental and spiritual states. This is manifested not just in human life, but also in everything from martial arts to architecture.

The fifth and final release features the art of Alexander Kori Girard who pays tribute to the Water element. The watercolour artwork centers on "stillness and movement", where "the gentle flow of water and the quiet pulse of life contained within it are rendered with delicate nuance".

Speaking of water, Japan's whiskies are perhaps most famous for its very own native water oak, or Mizunara, and thus this new Kanosuke Artist Series #005 Water is produced with whiskies matured in three Mizunara casks that form the key malt, that is then vatted with a diverse selection of unpeated and peated malts.

Tasting Note

Quiet intensity. A long finish led by peat over gentle, sweet fruit.

An elegant aroma of sandalwood with a rich, sweet‑tart flavour reminiscent of kumquat jam. Citrus peel and peat leave a long, memorable finish.

COLOUR: Golden amber

AROMA: Apple, Caramel, Vanilla, Nikki(Japanese cinnamon), Sandalwood, Roasted green tea

PALATE: Apricot, Ginger, White peach, Kumquat jam, Light honey

FINISH: Gentle honeyed sweetness with citrus peel and balanced peat lingering long, like ripples on water

The new Kanosuke Artist Series #005 Water is bottled at 50% ABV and priced at 16,500 Yen (US$103.45). 

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team