We're well underway in Kanosuke's sidequest, the Kanosuke Artist Edition series, which was conceived to showcase the Five Elements Philosophy that is embraced by Japanese culture, with each expression released featuring the interpretation of the element by a selected artist.

Thus far we've had three elements featured - Wood, Fire and Earth.

And now we have Gold.

Also known as Gon in the Five Elements Philosophy, which tells of how the five core elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water are essential to life, Gold can also be more broadly understood as symbolic of metal and mineral, expressing ideals of purity and nobility, harvest and completion.

Artist Keiko Yuasa.

For the Kanosuke Artist Edition #004 Gold (Gon), artist Keiko Yuasa 湯浅景子 was invited to express the element Gold through her own perspective. Her artwork thus expresses the brilliance of the mineral when harvested from the ground, demonstrated through her delicate brushstrokes.

The whisky itself comes from spirits produced across all three of Kanosuke's pot stills, and is made with non-peated malt. It is said that the fruity spirit from Spirits Still 2 in particular was given greater depth by adding triple distilled ex-Bourbon barrel aged spirit, along with the additional use of Islay barrel aged spirit that was matured in Hioki, which all comes together to provide a lingering aftertaste that is reminiscent of the overlapping sea breezes of Islay and Hioki, Kagoshima.

"Please enjoy the overlapping aromas, flavors, and aftertaste as if searching for "gold" hidden in the earth." says Kanosuke Distillery.

Kanosuke Artist Edition #004 Gold is bottled at 50% ABV.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team