Japanese Whisky

Mars Shinshu’s core blended whisky, named for Japanese whisky pioneer, Kiichiro Iwai (pronounced E-Y), is inspired by the great whiskies of America but retains a distinctly Japanese finesse. This whisky is kicked up to 45% ABV for cocktailing versatility and is perfect for classic Japanese highballs.

This blended Japanese Whisky is produced at Mars Shinshu distillery in Nagano. It's a blend of 70% corn and 30% malted barley and is aged between 2–5 years in ex-bourbon barrels.

• Lightly peated single malt Japanese whisky distilled by Akkeshi Distillery in Akkeshi, Japan
• 10^th release from Akkeshi’s 24 Sekki series
• Produced using sourced and locally grown Hokkaido barley, lightly peated
• Water sourced from the Homakai River; filtered through a layer of peat
• Double distilled in Forsythe copper pot stills
• Aged in a combination of Hokkaido Mizunara oak, ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-red wine barrels; non-age statement
• Butterscotch candy, temple incense, matcha green tea, and white chocolate on the nose precede a palate of Mandarin orange, dark chocolate, and sea salt with a lengthy, honeyed finish
• Non-chill filtered; 55% ABV

The 24 Japanese Sekki are days that divide the solar year into 24 equal micro seasons. Keichitsu, roughly translated to “life awakens,” starts in early March and is the season when the first new buds of spring begin to bloom. Evocative of the season’s first rays of soul-warming sunshine, this sprightly dram is as invigorating as those early spring days.

Taisetsu - The Great Snowfall is the 9th release in the 24 Seki Series from Akkeshi. It reflects the time when the days are shortest and mountains are covered in snow and the animals are hibernating. This single malt from Hokkaido's Akkeshi distillery displays all the beauty of winter citrus while abalnacin gits light aromas with the richness of Darjeeling tea, honey cakes, and umami. Aged in Hokkaido Mizunara barrels, ex bourbn, sherry, and red wine barrels.

The Akkeshi Distillery, based on the northern island of Hokkaido, have been regularly releasing fantastic whiskies since their inception, all as part of their 24 Solar Terms Series. The 24 Solar Terms are a traditional Japanese concept that follow the lunar calendar. The year is divided into 24 seasons, or solar terms, including the likes of the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. Each whisky in the series has aimed to demonstrate the the effects each term has on whisky production and this new Seimei single malt is no different. Seimei is an abbreviation that means “clean, bright and lively”. 

The whisky inside is smooth and moreish, with notes of red berries, candied citrus peel, sweet honey and gentle spices that linger in the background. The label features an impressive dark green and blue colour palette that will make the bottle stand apart in any collection.