The 23rd installment of the sought-after Ghost Series is making its way to the U.S. for the first time, featuring three Kanosuke whiskies. Since its launch in 2013 in Japan, the Ghost Series has garnered a cult following, with collectors drawn to its scarcity and the ukiyo-e label art inspired by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka’s “New Forms of 36 Ghosts.” This latest release, reported exclusively by Whisky Advocate, continues the series’ legacy of pairing exceptional whiskies with Edo-period woodblock print art.
Earlier releases focused on closed Japanese distilleries like Karuizawa, Hanyu, and Kawasaki. The rarity of the collection is highlighted by the fact that Ghost Series No. 6 was exclusively bottled for bars, with every bottle opened, making a complete collection nearly impossible. In 2020, an 11-bottle lot from the series sold for $100,634 at Bonhams, Hong Kong.
The new Kanosuke whiskies showcase the diversity of Japanese whisky craftsmanship:
- No. 23a Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still Cask No. HG088
Aged in new American white oak puncheon, 64% ABV, $250
Global release: 200 bottles - No. 23b Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still Cask No. HG0287
Aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel, 64% ABV, $250
Global release: 200 bottles - No. 23c Kanosuke Double Distillery Single Marriage Cask No. PL04
Aged in a plum wine cask from Komasa Brewery, 61% ABV, $250
Global release: 570 bottles
This release’s artwork is inspired by the fable “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow”, with the “heavy basket” motif divided across the three labels. The high strength (61%–64% ABV) of these whiskies offers enthusiasts ample room for water adjustment to explore their depths.
With a global release of only 970 bottles, the Kanosuke Ghost Series No. 23 is bound to catch the attention of collectors and connoisseurs alike.
