Mars (マルス) is the whisky brand of Hombo Shuzo Co Ltd (本坊酒造株式会社), under which two distilleries: Shinshu (信州蒸溜所), located at the foot of the Kiso Mountains in Nagano Prefecture (and the highest at 798m, becoming snow covered in winter) and Tsunuki (津貫蒸溜所), located close to the family home of the founder in Kagoshima Prefecture (and the southernmost in Japan main island, with hot, tropical like climate in the summer), are currently in operation. These two distilleries produce whiskies of contrasting styles due to differences in water sources, climate and aging conditions. After a couple of closures and restarts since the 1980s, Mars is today gaining reputation as a producer of quality whiskies staying true to traditional methods, and with roots dating back to the dawn of Japanese whisky making (the pot stills in Shinshu are based on a design by Mar's first master distiller, Kiichiro Iwai, who in turned followed the stills blueprint of Masataka Taketsuru, his one-time collaborator). We are excited about the future of this top Japanese whisky!
The Mars Tsunagu is a blended whisky aged in sherry casks and bottled for the Isetan department stores as a limited edition. It is a surprisingly complex, with an attractive range of fruity flavors, similar to those of single malts, complete with an elegant light peat. Non-chill-filtered. This offer is for both the full bottle and the mini, a difficult pair to find!
Size: 70cl + 20cl
ABV: 46%
Fill level: Good
With box?: Yes