Description
Mars Cosmo Whisky 700ml is a Japanese blended malt from Hombo Shuzo, the company behind the Mars Shinshu distillery in Nagano. Sold as Mars Maltage Cosmo, it combines malt whisky from Mars Shinshu with imported malts, and was launched in 2015 as a tribute to the mountains around the distillery.
Buy Mars Cosmo Whisky Online in NZ
Hombo Shuzo began as a shochu maker in Kagoshima, and its Mars whisky story is tied to Kiichiro Iwai, the industry figure who designed its first whisky stills. The Mars Shinshu distillery opened in Nagano in 1985, high in the Japanese Alps, where the cool mountain climate shapes how the whisky matures.
The name Cosmo comes from Mount Komagatake, a peak near the distillery that also gives its name to the Komagatake single malts. As a blended malt, Cosmo contains no grain whisky, only malt whiskies blended together, which gives it more body and depth than a typical blended whisky.
Japanese whisky is often enjoyed in a highball, and Cosmo works well this way with chilled soda water and plenty of ice. It is also good neat or with a little water, which brings out a fuller, creamier texture. Try it with grilled meats, dark chocolate or a nut-based dessert.
- Japanese blended malt from Hombo Shuzo’s Mars range
- Mars Shinshu malt blended with imported malt whisky
- Named after Mount Komagatake in Nagano
Tasting notes vary from reviewer to reviewer, but common threads run through them. The nose often shows hazelnut praline, honeycomb and a hint of marzipan, with orange and toffee apple. On the palate expect dates, treacle, dark caramel and walnut, with a creamy, sweet texture that grows richer with water. The finish is warm and biscuity.
The overall style is rich and nutty rather than delicate, which suits drinkers who like sherried or dessert-like whiskies.
A thoughtful bottle for Japanese whisky fans who want to try something beyond the bigger names, and a good gift for a whisky lover.
