Hombo Shuzo, the company behind Mars Distillery, produces many different styles of alcohol, starting with shochu in the early 1900s. Whisky production began in 1949 with the help of Kiichiro Iwai, a Japanese Whisky icon. Their primary distillery, Shinsu, is the highest altitude distillery in Japan, located high up in the Nagano Alps. The second is the Tsunuki distillery in Kagoshima, an island in the south of Japan.
This release was 100% distilled and aged in Nagano at the Shinsu distillery, under the shadow of Mt. Komogatake. It was patiently aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels - Mars Shinsu's signature style. The nose shows prunes, honey, vanilla, and tropical fruits, along with sweet oranges, green melon, and cocoa powder on the palate. The finish is long and smooth with notes of vanilla and persimmon. Bottled at 48% abv.
