Mars
Shinshu Distillery was founded in Nagano Prefecture in 1984 by Hombo Brewing, a Japanese Shochu maker from Kagoshima Prefecture. The distillery, which used to produce whisky only during winter, also produced other distilled liquors, such as brandy. In 1992, it stopped producing whisky due to low demand. After the recovery of the whisky market in 2007, production resumed in 2011.At a height of 798 metres above sea level, Mars Shinshu is the highest distillery in Japan. The whisky, which is made from water that has passed through granite and contains plenty of natural minerals, has a rich and balanced flavor.A short while after its revival, Mars Maltage 3+25 earned the title of World's Best Blended Malt Whisky at the WWA. The distinction stunned the whisky industry both internationally and in Japan.
In 2016, Hombo Shuzo reopened and introduced new pot stills to their first distillery location in Kagoshima now known as the Mars Tsunuki Distillery, once again Japan’s southernmost distillery. They also built an aging facility on a tiny island known as Yakushima, a National World Heritage site, where they now age spirits from both Shinshu and Tsunuki distilleries.
Mars Iwai Tradition Blended Whisky
Iwai Tradition Blended Whisky is a refined Japanese whisky crafted by Mars Shinshu, Japan's highest whisky distillery, nestled in the Japanese Alps. This blend pays homage to Kiichiro Iwai, a key figure in the history of Japanese whisky. It’s a harmonious combination of single malts and grain whiskies, aged in a mix of bourbon, sherry, and wine casks, giving it a rich, multi-layered profile.
The whisky has a warm amber hue and an inviting aroma of honey, ripe fruits, and subtle oak. On the palate, it is smooth and well-balanced, with flavours of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice, leading to a slightly smoky finish. Iwai Tradition is versatile, excellent for sipping neat, on the rocks, or as the base for a highball. It embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of Japanese whisky-making traditions.
TASTING NOTES:
Ripe Cherry, Honey Toffee with a Beautiful Ginger Spice.
Mars Tsunuki 2024 Edition
Discover the enigmatic flavor of this single malt Japanese whisky, Mars Tsunuki 2024 Edition. The fifth release of Single Malt Tsunuki is called Single Malt Tsunuki 2024 Edition. A non chill filtered whisky from Mars Tsunuki Distillery produced by Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd., Japan, and bottled in 700ml with 50% alcohol strength.
Situated in the lush highlands to the southwest of the Satsuma Peninsula, the Mars Tsunuki distillery has a climate akin to a basin with a broad variety of temperatures and high-quality spring water from the mountain. Vatted malt whisky matured in different kinds of casks, mostly bourbon and sherry casks.
The scents of red butter, tart cake, strawberry jam, orangette, and leather are all present in this release. The nose has layers of concentrated fruit aromas and rich, sweet undertones. The flavor profile includes cheesecake, blackberry, bitter chocolate, and full-bodied sweetness. It tastes three-dimensional, with a juicy, fresh fruit fragrance that lingers after the rich sweetness. It has a rich barley flavor with a sweet finish. The aftertaste has a delightfully solid flavor that lasts a long time.
The Tsunuki Distillery’s pot still is featured on the label. This edition comes in a special box that act as packaging that matches with the bottle’s design. Enjoy the distinct flavor of this wonderful whisky to the utmost by trying it while you can. For a complete experience, get a bottle of Mars Tsunuki 2024 Edition today.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Red butter, tart cake, strawberry jam, orangette, leather. The fragrance is multi-layered with sweet and heavy notes and compote of fruits.
Palate: Full-bodied sweetness, bitter chocolate, cheesecake, blackberry, and bold. Juicy fresh fruit aromas spread behind the full-bodied sweetness.
Finish: Wheat sweetness and fullness, lingers on the palate for a long time.
AWARDS:
World Whiskies Awards 2025 - Category Winner (Single Malt No Age Statement)
Mars Maltage “Cosmo” Blended Malt Whisky
Its name "Cosmo" refers to a peak located within mountains surrounding the distillery. Mars Maltage "Cosmo" is a blend of single malts distilled and aged in Shinshu, with single malts distilled and aged in Scotland. No age is indicated on the label, so it means that single malts used are relatively young, as you may know the distillery started distilling again in 2011, and the old Scottish whiskies are also expensive and rare, so the Chief Blender decided to focus on specific taste characteristics and selected each single malts himself.
A tasty blend of sweet flavors such as honey, caramel and riped fruits, subtly highlighted by some woody and smoky hints.
DISTILLERY:
Shinshu Mars Distillery
ORIGIN:
Nagano, Japan
DISTILLERY INFO:
Situated between the north and south Japanese alps, Mars Shinshu is Japan's highest whisky distillery, at 798 meters. The Hombo family have been distilling for more than a century. The environment of Shinshu Mars distillery is surrounded by granitic soil with crystal clear water source as well as nature bounty, makes the finest quality and high standard Mars whisky.ste.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Mild, honey, soft
Palate: Rich, sweet, honey, caramel, slightly smoky flavour and ripped fruit
AWARDS:
2017 Best Worldwide Whisky –Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition (HKIWSC)Finish: Mild and pleasant
Mars The Y.A #03 Blended Malt Whisky
Yakushima, a World Natural Heritage island, is located about 60 km southwest of the Kagoshima mainland. The MARS Yakushima Aging Cellar is located on this island, which is blessed with steep mountains and abundant water. "MARS The Y.A.” is a Japanese whisky that has been aged in this unique environment. It is distilled at two distilleries, Komagatake and Tsunuki, and vatted mainly with malt whiskey aged in bourbon barrels.
The aroma of citrus fruits grown in the tropical sun and the minerality and richness reminiscent of the majestic sea surrounding the island make us feel the southern island of Yakushima.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Fresh tangerine, tidal minerality, salt rusk.
Palate: Fresh citrus, grilled corn, slight cinnamon sugar.
Finish: Refreshingly sweet, leaving a salty, savory aftertaste.
AWARDS:
World Whiskies Awards 2025 - Gold (Blended Malt No Age Statement)
Mars Komagatake 2024 Edition
Single Malt Komagatake is produced at the Mars Komagatake Distillery, located at the foot of the Komagatake mountain range in the Central Alps, surrounded by abundant nature and high-quality water.
2024 Edition” is a single malt whisky bottled in a limited edition of 2024, which is based on the original bourbon barrel-matured whisky and vatted with a variety of original whiskies including sherry cask and wine cask whiskys of rich character.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Apple tea, green apple, vanilla, honey.
Palate: Ripe persimmon, sour fruit, moist baked goods.
Finish: Aromatic and savory sweetness with a fresh and crisp aftertaste.
Mars The Y.A #02 Blended Malt Whisky
MARS The Y. A. is a whisky aged on Yakushima island, with rich water and mountains. We mature different types of malt whiskies from our Shinshu and Tsunuki distilleries and blend them to create a unique expression.
Hints of sun-ripened fruits combined with a sea breeze and smoky flavors make us imagine mystic mist-filled Yakushima forests.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Sun-ripened fruits combine with the sea breeze and soft white smoke.
Palate: A thick flavor develops with smoky and mineral notes.
Finish: A rich oily taste lingers long.
Mars Komagatake 2023 Edition
Enhance your whisky experience with Mars Komagatake 2023 Edition, expertly crafted at the Mars Shinshu Distillery, nestled at the base of Mt. Komagatake in the Central Alps mountain range, surrounded by pristine water sources and abundant natural beauty. This exclusive single malt whisky is presented in a limited edition for the year 2023, skillfully blending bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and port cask-aged whisky to achieve a harmonious composition.
The whisky reveals a deep amber hue that entices the senses. Approaching the glass, you’ll be met with an enchanting aroma that unfolds in layers. Complex notes of apricot, orange peel, and hints of banana lead the way, gradually transforming into a profound and refined scent reminiscent of black tea. On the palate, the dried plum essence evolves into flavors akin to hazelnut or maple syrup, a gift from the sherry casks. The mellow sweetness, akin to ripened persimmons, gracefully envelops the palate. The finish is enduring and meditative, leaving a rich and tender impression, with a smooth and pleasing flavor that lingers.
This limited edition release is not just a whisky; it’s a collector’s treasure and a connoisseur’s delight. Embrace the essence of Japanese whisky excellence with Mars Komagatake 2023 Edition. Secure your bottle now and immerse yourself in the narrative of this exceptional and uniquely crafted whisky.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Apricot, orange peel, and banana aroma come up first, then they will turn into a deep and elegant aroma that reminds me of black tea.
Palate: The dried plum flavor will change into a hazelnut or maple syrup flavor deriving from sherry casks. Mellow sweetness like ripened persimmon spreads.
Finish: Rich and tender impression with smooth and pleasant flavor lingers.
Mars Iwai Blended Whisky
One of the most important person whose name is Kiichiro Iwai. He is a pioneer of Japanese whisky. "IWAI TRADITION" is his traditional model for Mars Whisky. By contrast, Mars Whisky "IWAI" is more lightly taste. It is blended Japanese whisky to create woody flavor and lightly taste that bring out to the full of the gorgeous aroma imparted by storage in bourbon barrels and that can be savored freely at any time. It is a refreshing taste with a lingering.
DISTILLERY:
Shinshu Mars Distillery
ORIGIN:
Nagano, Japan
DISTILLERY INFO:
Situated between the north and south Japanese alps, Mars Shinshu is Japan's highest whisky distillery, at 798 meters. The Hombo family have been distilling for more than a century. The environment of Shinshu Mars distillery is surrounded by granitic soil with crystal clear water source as well as nature bounty, makes the finest quality and high standard Mars whisky.
TASTING NOTES:
Sweet with fruit flavors like pear, quince and hints of red fruits and vanilla.