Shinshu Mars Distillery Komagatake Tsunuki "The First" Aging Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Hombo Shuzo, the company behind Mars Shinshu distillery, opened a second distillery in Tsunuki, the birthplace of the Hombo family enterprise, in November of 2016. The climate at Tsunuki Distillery is drastically different from that of Mars Shinshu, as it sits at sea level and experiences higher humidity and large fluctuations in temperature. The goal of this new location was not necessary to increase production but to experiment with terroir.

This bottling marks the very first single malt to be distilled at Tsunuki, produced between 2016 and 2017. Aged for just over three years in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks, this rich single malt exudes the enticing sweetness of vanilla and maple on the nose, leading to a fruity, pastry palate of banana crepes and apple pie and a finish of citrus, pine nut, and cinnamon. Only 1,122 bottles were produced of this highly anticipated single release, bottled at 59% ABV.