Description
Mars Iwai Tradition Whisky 750ml is a blended Japanese whisky from Mars Whisky, made at the Mars Komagatake distillery (formerly Mars Shinshu) in Nagano Prefecture. It is made from about 70% malted barley and 30% corn, distilled twice in copper pot stills and matured mainly in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, then bottled at 40% ABV without an age statement.
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Mars Whisky belongs to Hombo Shuzo, a family-owned shochu maker based in Kagoshima in southern Japan. The company opened its Nagano distillery in 1985, choosing a site in the Central Alps at around 800 metres above sea level, which makes it the highest whisky distillery in Japan. The cool climate and moderate humidity slow maturation, and the distillery has access to soft, high quality water from the mountains.
The Nagano distillery was mothballed in 1992 and restarted in 2011, and the brand has grown since then. The Iwai range is named after Kiichiro Iwai, who played an important part in bringing whisky distillation to Japan.
Some of the barley in this blend is lightly peated, to around 3.5 PPM or less, so smoke stays very much in the background. The whisky is proofed with granite-filtered water from nearby Mt. Kiso-Komagatake. Cask types beyond bourbon and sherry, such as wine, port or new oak, may vary from batch to batch.
The distillery suggests enjoying it neat, with a touch of water or in a classic highball with chilled soda and plenty of ice. As a highball it works well with yakitori, karaage or grilled fish, and neat it suits a little dark chocolate.
- Blended Japanese whisky from Mars Komagatake, Nagano
- Around 70% malted barley and 30% corn, pot distilled twice
- Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, bottled at 40% ABV
On the nose you will find clove, wildflower honey and a faint hint of earthy peat. The palate moves to nougat and milk chocolate, with some toffee and caramel. Cinnamon joins a restrained chocolate note on the finish, which is fairly long for its strength.
A good pick for anyone exploring Japanese whisky, or for highball fans who want a characterful blend from an independent family producer.
