Mars Komagatake 2014 Double Cask ePower & Bar Barns Single Cask Single Malt Marriage Japanese Single Malt Whisky (2019) 70cl

1 of 498 bottles

A 2019 release of Komagatake single malt from the Mars Shinshu distillery produced from two different casks.

Japan's highest distillery, Shinshu was built by the whisky division of the Hombo Shuzo Co, known as Mars, in 1985. It is located in Miyada, a village in the Nagano Prefecture, and operated for seven years before being mothballed in 1992. Despite being relatively successful in their native market, Mars had not had the success of its competitors Nikka and Suntory on the global stage, and the struggling Japanese whisky market at the time forced the company's hand. In the subsequent years however, things began to improve, and Shinshu distillery was eventually re-opened in 2011. Mars bottles its single malt under the Komagatake brand, and have also opened a sister distillery called Tsunuki to provide for its popular blends.

The two casks were selected on behalf of ePower international trading and Bar Barns.

ePower Cask
Distilled: 2013/01
Cask No.: 1767
Cask type: Bourbon Barrel

Bar Barns Cask
Distilled: 2014/03
Cask No.: 1877
Cask type: American White Oak

Tasting Notes

Nose : complex, light bodied, very grassy and vegetative, nuts, transitions to stone fruits in particular apricots, boiled peanuts, vanilla, doesn't seem to be able to hold onto a specific set of aromas. Pretty intense overall.

Palate : dry, initial palate is oily, syrup, but perhaps coming in hot and slightly sour, but surprisingly makes way for a mid palate of sweet candy, dried peaches and dried apricots, white sugar, very Irish whiskey-ish, subsequent sips seem to do a back and forth with varying levels of stone fruit intensity, back palate has a sweet dried stone fruit set. Hmm, like a hot Irish whiskey but better body.

Finish : short to medium, apricot slices, syrup.

About Mars

Mars Whisky is a Japanese brand by Hombo Shuzo, known for its distinct distilleries and diverse whisky profiles. The brand operates the Komagatake Distillery in the high-altitude Japanese Alps, producing delicate whiskies, and the Tsunuki Distillery in the subtropical south of Kyushu, which crafts more robust, smoky spirits. Their whisky is often characterized by pure water sources, unique climates, and innovative techniques, resulting in smooth, balanced whiskies with notes of fruit, spice, and oak.

60% ABV

70cl