Shinshu Mars Distillery Iwai Tradition Japanese Whisky Sakura Cask Finish

For this limited edition from Mars Shinshu, Iwai Tradition is aged an additional 6 months in casks made from the Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree, the highly prized wood known as Sakura. Part of a new and ongoing series that will see four seasonal releases per year, this ‘Spring’ release was delayed in 2020 but makes the whisky no less delicious. The honey, toffee, and dark cherry notes inherent in Iwai Tradition are beautifully complemented here by the high-toned, floral characteristics imparted by the Sakura. An interesting side note: the Sakura casks (sourced from Ariake Sangyo Co., Japan’s only independent cooperage) are rectangular, reflecting the difficulty of molding this wood to traditional cask shapes. This special release, blended Japanese whisky is bottled at 40% ABV.