Shinshu Mars Distillery Iwai Tradition Wine Cask Finish Blended Japanese Whisky (750ml)

Hombo Shuzo, the company behind Mars Distillery, produces a variety of alcoholic beverages, including wine. So, perhaps not surprisingly, they've employed wine casks from the Chateau Mars winery in neighbouring Yamanashi to finish this blend, ‘Iwai Tradition’, which has spent over a year in x-red wine casks. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... This was the 3rd bottling I tasted at the Hombo Shuzo(Mars) stand at the show. The first 2 were the “Komagatake” 22YO and the “Komagatake” Bourbon Barrel 24YO. After those two, the thought of being knocked out by a 40%abv blended whisky with no age statement finished in a wine cask seemed highly unlikely. Well I was knocked out by the quality of this whisky for the price and so was everyone else I talked to that tried it. Ok, it was only a single dram so it will not be until my bottles arrived that I can confirm, but initial impressions were that this will be right up there with the best value, quality daily drams anywhere in the world. Hmmm, I think I should buy a few more.
- www.thejapanesewhiskyreview.com