Mars The Lucky Cat Mint Limited Edition Distillery Exclusive Japanese Blended Whisky (2017) 70cl

A Distillery Exclusive with images of the cats belonging to employees placed onto the labels of releases for Mars Whisky. One of the most charming series of releases from Hombo Shuzo expressing the ability to be creative whereby the employees are responsible for shaping releases.

On this edition is the tabby cat 'Mint'

These editions barely make it out of Japan. A lot of people tend to like cats so they purchase the bottles quickly and often collect but also drink them.

Mars is the brand of whisky that you SHOULD know about but probably do not.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Complex yet not overwhelming, reminiscent of a bourbon with Japanese influences. It features pastry-like notes with present vanilla aromas, complemented by floral and delicate notes, including violet and potpourri.

Palate: Rich and balanced, it delivers a bourbon-like impression with flavours of vanilla, caramel, and candied orange. A light iodine adds depth to the aromas.

Finish: Rich and smooth, it leaves a seductive finish on the palate.

About Mars

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 succesful 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.

This whisky has been aged in the stone warehouse of Mars Tsunuki distillery in Kagoshima. It is a vatting of ex-Bourbon cask aged spirit.

In 1985, Hombo Breweries opened the Mars Shinshu distillery in Miyata village at the foot of the Komagatake Alps in Japan’s Nagano prefecture. Whisky production there takes place only during winter, with the rest of the year spent brewing beer and distilling other spirits. However, with the popularity of whisky enjoying a resurgence in Japan, “winter” now lasts for about six months at the distillery.

*due end Feb 2026

43% ABV

70cl