Tsunuki Mars Distillery

History

Mars Whisky's history begins after World War II in 1949, when 本坊酒造 began producing whisky in Kagoshima. Under the guidance of 岩井喜一郎, whisky production was firmly established; in 1960 the goal was to use 山梨 工場 as a base, where the Mars Whisky brand was born and spread as a Western-style liquor company. In 1985 Shinshu 信州 was opened, where Mars Shinshu Distillery was established at the foot of 木曽駒ヶ岳 in Miyata, and where production later led to a wide range of raw materials and aged whiskies. In 1992, in the midst of whisky exploration, the relocation of production was temporarily paused, and the focus shifted toward aging stock. In 2011 distillation resumed, and in 2016 Mars Tsunuki Distillery opened in Kagoshima and Mars Yakushima Aging Cellar. In 2024 the Shinshu name was changed to Komagatake Distillery, and Mars Whisky continued to be internationally recognized through numerous awards such as SFWSC, TWSC, WWA and IWSC.

Production / Manufacturing

Mars Whisky is produced across three distinct terroirs and aged in three different warehouses, yielding distinct flavor profiles:

• Mars Komagatake Distillery in Nagano at the foot of Kumagatake, at an elevation of 798 m, with a cool climate and water enriched with minerals from granite. Here the raw materials mature in various cask kinds – Bourbon, Sherry and American White Oak – and the whisky is often finished non chill filtered to preserve more of the raw character.

• Mars Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima, located in a warmer climate between the mountains, where water and climate contribute to a different maturation profile; Tsunuki uses aging facilities including a shop area and a bar, with the possibility of tastings (some tastings are paid).

• Mars Yakushima Aging Cellar on Yakushima, where whiskies mature under unique maritime and tropical influences, enriching the portfolio with a distinctive profile.
  Production and aging in these three environments give Mars Whisky a broad spectrum of raw materials and aging conditions, enabling diverse crafts and blending techniques – often without chill filtration to preserve the original character of the ingredients.

Products / Whisky Series

Highlights from Key Series

• Komagatake Single Malt

• 40th Anniversary Special Edition: 50 ABV, 700 ml, 3 bottle carton; 27,000 JPY before tax. A 40-year anniversary blend that combines originals from the 1980s, 1990s, 2010s and 2020s without a pause in the 2000s, with casks Bourbon, Sherry and American White Oak. Aromas and flavors are described as layered sweetness and fruit such as apple jam, dried apricots, melon and vanilla, with notes of raisins and maple syrup, cinnamon and hints of roasted nuts and chocolate.

• Komagatake Single Malt Aged 8 Years Small Batch: 55 ABV, 700 ml, Limited 440 bottles.

• Komagatake Single Malt IPA Cask Finish: Finish in IPA casks (details noted on product pages), Bottled in 2024/2025.

• Tsunuki Single Malt – Edition Series (2022–2025): 2025 Edition and earlier releases such as 2024, 2023 and 2022; blended from aged stock from the Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima, with special finishes and vintages.

• MARS The Y.A. – Blended Malt Series (The Y.A. #01–#04): Yakushima-aged malt-based blends that combine inputs from Mars Tsunuki and Yakushima and are later aged in various containers. The series has earned accolades such as Best Japanese Blended Malt from WWA 2023/2024/2025.

• マルスモルテージ 越百 (Mars Moritage Koshu Hyakubachi, et al.) – A range of blends where the Mars Moritage line combines malt from the different distilleries and sometimes finishes in wine casks or other experimental casks (for example wine, coffee, and other finishes).

• The Lucky Cat Solla – The Lucky Cat series (11th edition): 43 ABV, 700 ml, 6 bottle case; a tinted blended whisky with notes from Maduro and sherry finishes combined with malt- and grain-origin.

• 岩井 トラディション (Iwai Tradition) – Blend of malt and grain; includes wine- and sherry-finish variants.

• Sakura Cask Finish – Sakura (cherry blossom) cask finish, 40 ABV, 750 ml, 2,735 bottles; blends malt- and grain-whiskies in a limited-release format.

• SHIKI Yam Sauvignon Cask Finish – SHIKI Yam Sauvignon Cask Finish, Long Nagano region; red wine finish from Yam Sauvignon cask; 750 ml, 40 ABV.

• MARS Malt Duo Series – Tsunuki × Akkeshi and Komagatake × Chichibu: Blended malts that exchange ingredients between the distilleries and finish in different casks (Bourbon, American White Oak, and Sherry) at the two distilleries; typically 700 ml and prices around 16,500–19,800 JPY.

• MARS NEO Series and Wet Lines such as MARS NEO Hosaka-kei and MARS The Y.A. – Yakushima-aged blended malts and SB blends, often with Japanese terroirs and finish casks.

• Wine and spirit related products such as Chateau Mars Prestige and other wine-derived blends are mentioned under the Mars brand, but the focus in whisky context is on single malts, blended malts and blended whiskies.

Notes and Tastes

• Komagatake 40th Anniversary: layered aromas of apple jam, ripe apricot and melon, together with vanilla and aging notes such as raisins and maple syrup; spiced with cinnamon and a profile reminiscent of dark chocolate and roasted nuts.

• Tsunuki- and Yakushima-based series are often described as reflecting regional terroirs; Yakushima products emphasize maritime and warmer climate and longer cellar aging for a unique profile.

Selected Products (Spotlight)

• Komagatake 40th Anniversary Special Edition (50 ABV, 700 ml, Limited) – 27,000 JPY (excl. tax).

• Komagatake Single Malt Aged 8 Years Small Batch (55 ABV, 700 ml, Limited 440 bottles) – 24,000 JPY (excl. tax).

• Komagatake Single Malt (Standard) – standard single malt in different editions (eg 2024 Edition, 2023 Edition, 2022 Edition).

• Tsunuki Single Malt 2025 Edition – 2024/2023/2022 editions follow the Tsunuki distillery.

• MARS The YA – #01–#04 (Yakushima aged) – Blended Malt, awards in SFWSC/WWA.

• The Lucky Cat Solla – 700 ml, 43 ABV, Limited, 5,200 JPY (excl. tax).

• MARS Malt Duo TSUNUKI x AKKESHI – 700 ml, 51 ABV, Limited 11,000 bottles; 19,800 JPY.

• MARS WHISKY Malt Duo KOMAGATAKE x CHICHIBU – 700 ml, 54 ABV, Limited 10,918 bottles; 16,500 JPY.

• Sakura Cask Finish – 750 ml, 40 ABV, Limited 2,735 bottles; 3,080 JPY.

• SHIKI Yam Sauvignon Cask Finish – 750 ml, 40 ABV, Limited; 3,300 JPY.

Visits / Experiences

Products and Tours (Key Locations)

The Mars Whisky group operates through distilleries and visitor experiences:

• Mars Komagatake Distillery – Nagano, at 798 m elevation; guided tours and free access to view production equipment (fermentation tanks, pot stills). The Visitor Center sells limited edition whiskies and Mars wines, as well as locally brewed beer. Paid tastings are available in the bar.

• Mars Tsunuki Distillery – Kagoshima; nine people per group for tours; there is a shop and a BAR at Hojo. Frequent events and limited edition bottles in the shop.

• Yakushima Denshogura – Yakushima; Kura Tour, handmade ceramic cask finishes and the distillerys aging cellar; free tastings in some cases, opportunity to buy limited editions; access requires reservations.

• Mars Hosaka Winery – Winery tour with access to underground stock and wine tastings; opening hours and ticket prices listed in the Visit section. Opportunity to sample 5–6 wines for free, and paid wine tasting in a private room with a sommelier.

Philosophy

Mars Whisky's portfolio is built around two distilleries and three distinct aging facilities, each imparting unique influences and identities to the whisky. The common belief across the brand is that nature, climate and time shape the character of whisky, and that craftsmanship and techniques such as Iwai style pot stills ensure an authentic Japanese whisky. There is an emphasis on preserving originality through non chill filtration and by using varying casks such as bourbon, sherry, American white oak and wine casks to produce layered, complex aromas and flavors. The Mars series aims to capture terroir and culture in every glass and to maintain a high level of craftsmanship and quality across the decades.