Komagatake Tsunuki Aging 2020

Nose

Rich and complex aroma with notes of oak, vanilla, barley sugar, light smoke, and citrus fruits like orange.

Palate

Sweet and smooth with a slightly spicy profile that reveals fruity notes of citrus and candied fruits, wrapped with a touch of peat.

Finish

Flavorful and lightly smoky, with lingering notes that invite another sip.

Mars Shinshu, officially renamed Mars Komagatake Distillery in March 2024, is the high-altitude whisky distillery of Japanese family company Hombo Shuzo. The company obtained its whisky production licence in 1949 and developed its first malt whisky with guidance from Kiichiro Iwai. In 1985, the equipment was moved from Yamanashi to the foothills of Mount Komagatake in the Central Alps of Nagano.

The distillery stands at an elevation of 798 metres, surrounded by forest and supplied with water filtered through granite from the surrounding mountains. Its cool climate and distinct seasonal changes encourage gradual maturation and contribute to a generally fresh, fruity and refined house style. Mars uses a broad range of casks, including bourbon, sherry and wine casks.

Falling demand led to distillation being suspended in 1992. Production resumed in 2011 after a nineteen-year break, and the distillery was expanded and renewed in 2020. Single malts, single casks and limited releases appear under the Komagatake name. Mars Shinshu therefore represents an important chapter in both the history and modern revival of Japanese whisky.