Spirited News 02/2026: Mars Japanese Whisky
Mars Whisky is produced by the Hombo family in two different distilleries. The first is located in Tsunuki, while the second is the Shinshu Distillery in Miyada. Mars Whisky also uses three different ageing sites. The newest lies on the island of Yakushima. During this tasting, we had the opportunity to sample six distinct bottlings.
Mars Maltage Cosmo
Serving as an introduction to the Mars Whisky range in Japan, the Cosmo is a blended ‘world whisky’. This means it combines imported single malt with Japanese whisky with an aged between three and five years.
The Cosmo begins with a hint of peated smoke, which is soon joined by notes of vanilla and sherry fruit. Underpinning these primary flavours are a lot of oak spices. These are complemented by the pronounced tannins from the barrels, as well as hints of menthol.
Mars Komagatake
The Komagatake comes from the Shinshu Distillery and ages in a mix of 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels, sherry, port and wine casks as well as other unspecified barrels. The whisky has an ABV of 45 %.
Initially, the whisky starts with a hint of hazelnut. However, when I tasted it, I detected a whiff of canned pineapple. After a while, vanilla, spices and oak take over. Finally, a grassy note emerges in the aftertaste.
Mars Komagatake 2024
The Mars Komagatake 2024is a limited edition that is constantly changing. It uses a mix of ex-bourbon barrels, sherry casks and wine casks. It also has a higher ABV of 50%. The whisky is not chill-filtered and has a natural colour.
At first, I noticed a pronounced vanilla flavour, which almost reminded me of vanilla pudding. Soon, a similar pickled pineapple note developed, leading to a sherry -forward taste. The spices are more pronounced than in the standard Komagatake bottling. Intense tannins and grassy notes again lead the way towards the aftertaste.
Mars Tsunuki 2023
The pot stills at the Tsunuki Distillery are similar in shape to those at the Shinshu Distillery. Nevertheless, they are bigger than their counterparts. After distillation, the malts mature in first- and second-fill bourbon barrels, as well as rum barrels. The rum portion is peated to 20 ppm.
I could really taste and smell the pronounced citrus flavour in the Tsunuki. The peated rum cask comes through in the taste, as does a certain dark chocolate flavour. Soon afterwards, the tannins and hot spices take over, reminding me of red pepper.
Mars Tsunuki Japanese Spring
This Europe exclusive bottling uses around 50 % bourbon barrels as well as sherry and port wine casks. What makes it special is the use of heads made from cherry wood. Ultimately, the whisky is bottled at 50% ABV.
The Japanese spring begins with notes of citrus and glue, as well as peat smoke. In the taste, I first noticed some sherry fruits and peat smoke. These lead to a flavour reminiscent of a citrus liqueur. After some perfumed notes, the oak spices and tannins become more pronounced again.
Mars The Y.A. #01
This blended Japanese whisky uses spirits distilled at the two Mars distilleries. What makes it special is that the whiskies age in the tropical climate of Yakushima. Most of the barrels used are ex-bourbon barrels.
First, the Y.A. reveals a blend of spices and exotic fruits, reminiscent of persimmons. The taste is then dominated by pineapple. In addition, I detect oak spices, perfumed notes, and hints of grains and malt at the back of the palate. The tannins and oak spices are also present.
*The fact that I received a product reviewed in this article for free, did not – in any way – influence the rating of said product. I received the whisky samples for free from Kirsch Whisky.
