Mars Whisky is a Japanese whisky brand operated by Hombo Shuzo Co. Ltd. The distillery was founded in 1985 and is located in Shinshu in the Japanese Alps, at an altitude of 798 meters, making it Japan's highest whisky distillery. Originally, Hombo Shuzo primarily produced shochu before starting whisky distillation in 1949. However, whisky production was paused from 1992 to 2011, before resuming due to the growing success of Japanese whiskies.
Mars Whisky is known for its diverse range of releases, including the popular Komagatake Single Malt, available in various editions such as the "Komagatake Edition 2021" and "Komagatake Edition 2022." Another well-known series is the "Iwai" series, which includes the "Iwai Tradition" and "Iwai 45." These whiskies are characterized by their rich and complex flavor profiles, often featuring notes of vanilla, caramel, and spices.
The distillery uses both unpeated and peated malt and ages its whiskies in a variety of casks, including ex-bourbon, sherry, and wine casks. This diversity in cask aging contributes to the different flavor profiles that Mars whiskies offer. A notable feature of Mars Whisky production is the use of three different aging warehouses in Japan, each with distinct climatic conditions, leading to unique maturation processes.
Historically, Mars Whisky has undergone several relocations. After initial difficulties in Yamanashi and Kagoshima, production found its permanent home in Shinshu. These moves reflect the efforts to find the ideal location and conditions for whisky production.
Mars Whisky has established a solid place in the world of whisky with its innovative and high-quality products, offering both traditional and modern interpretations of Japanese whisky.
