Mars shinsyu

Overview of Mars shinsyu

Location and Environment:

Mars Shinshu Distillery is located in Miyada village, in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan, at an altitude of 798 meters. Nestled in the Japanese Alps at the foot of Mount Komagatake, the distillery benefits from a pristine natural environment with clear air and pure granite-filtered water from mountain snowmelt  .

 Overview of Mars Shinshu Distillery, showcasing its rich history and commitment to quality in Japanese whisky production.

Mars Shinsyu Distilley  appearance

 Overview of Mars Shinshu Distillery, showcasing its rich history and commitment to quality in Japanese whisky production.

Mars Shinsyu Distilley  appearance

 Overview of Mars Shinshu Distillery, showcasing its rich history and commitment to quality in Japanese whisky production.

Mars Shinsyu Distilley  appearance

 Overview of Mars Shinshu Distillery, showcasing its rich history and commitment to quality in Japanese whisky production.


History of Mars shinsyu

• Mars Shinshu was established in 1985 in Nagano. Despite its promising start, the distillery faced the broader industry decline in the 1990s, leading to its temporary closure in 1992. The distillery experienced a revival in 2011, driven by the growing global interest in Japanese whisky. The original stills were refurbished and later replaced with new ones in 2014, designed by Miyake, preserving the legacy of the distillery .

Explore the rich history of Mars Shinshu Distillery, from its early struggles in Yamanashi to its resurgence in Nagano, shaping the Japanese whisky landscape.

Foundation

•Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd., the parent company of Mars Shinshu, was established in 1872 in Kagoshima, primarily producing shochu. Over the years, the company expanded into whisky production.

Early Challenges

•Initially, whisky production began in the Kagoshima region, but due to the tropical climate, the whisky produced was not well-received. Consequently, the distillery was moved to the cooler climate of Nagano in the 1980s to take advantage of better conditions for whisky maturation  .

Explore the rich history of Mars Shinshu Distillery, from its early struggles in Yamanashi to its resurgence in Nagano, shaping the Japanese whisky landscape.

Establishment of Mars Shinshu: 

The distillery was officially established in 1985. However, due to the decline in whisky consumption in Japan during the early 1990s, Mars Shinshu was mothballed in 1992

Explore the rich history of Mars Shinshu Distillery, from its early struggles in Yamanashi to its resurgence in Nagano, shaping the Japanese whisky landscape.

Anecdote of Mars shinsyu

Importance of Mars Shinshu Distillery

Mars Shinshu Distillery stands out for its high-altitude location, innovative use of aging sites, and diverse cask selection. These factors, combined with the rich history and expertise of Hombo Shuzo, contribute to the distinctive quality and appeal of their whiskies. The distillery’s ability to adapt and innovate has helped it gain recognition in the competitive world of Japanese whisky.

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

 Rich history

Mars Shinshu Distillery has a rich history marked by several key moments and anecdotes that highlight its journey and significance in the Japanese whisky industry:

Foundation and Early Struggles:

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

 Yamanashi region. 

Hombo Shuzo initially started producing whisky in the Yamanashi region. However, the whisky produced had a strong flavor profile that did not align with Japanese tastes at that time. This mismatch in taste preferences posed a significant challenge for the company.

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

Challenges Faced:

• The strong flavor of the whisky made it less popular among Japanese consumers who were more accustomed to milder spirits. This lack of market acceptance created difficulties for Hombo Shuzo in establishing a successful whisky brand.

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

Transformation into a Vineyard:

• Due to the poor reception of their whisky, Hombo Shuzo decided to repurpose the Yamanashi site. The distillery was transformed into a vineyard, where the focus shifted to wine production. The wine casks from this vineyard were later used for aging some of the Mars whiskies, adding unique flavor characteristics to their whisky offerings.

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

. Strategic Relocation:

Recognizing the importance of suitable climatic conditions for whisky maturation, Hombo Shuzo later relocated whisky production to the cooler climate of Nagano, which offered better conditions for aging whisky and producing a flavor profile more in line with consumer preferences.

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

Significant Collaborations:

• A notable event in Mars Shinshu’s history was the collaboration with Chichibu Distillery in 2021 to create a unique whisky by marrying barrels from both distilleries. This innovative partnership underscored Mars Shinshu’s commitment to excellence and innovation in whisky production .

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

Kiichiro Iwai’s Influence:

• The distillery’s whisky line, Iwai Tradition, is named after Kiichiro Iwai, a pivotal figure in Japanese whisky history who mentored Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka and Suntory whisky. Iwai played a crucial role in sending Taketsuru to Scotland to learn whisky-making techniques, which were foundational for Japan’s whisky industry  .

Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.

Prominent player in the Japanese whisky landscape.

These anecdotes highlight the resilience and innovative spirit of Mars Shinshu Distillery, making it a prominent player in the Japanese whisky landscape.

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Anecdotal highlights from Mars Shinshu Distillery, illustrating its resilience and innovative spirit in the Japanese whisky industry.


Production process
of Mars shinsyu

• Rebirth: In 2011, sensing a resurgence in the popularity of Japanese whisky, Mars Shinshu resumed production. The original stills, which had been in use for over 25 years, were refurbished and eventually replaced by new stills in 2014 during a significant expansion  .

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Stills and Equipment:

 The distillery is equipped with traditional copper pot stills, made by local manufacturers to handle the extreme seasonal temperature variations. This ensures efficient year-round operations.

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Mars shinsyu Distillery copper Stills 

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Mars shinsyu Distillery copper Stills 

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

 Mars shinsyu Distillery copper Stills 

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Mars shinsyu Distillery copper Stills 

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Cask Selection of Mars shinsyu

The distillery uses a variety of casks, including bourbon, sherry, and wine casks, to age their whiskies. This practice results in a diverse range of flavors and characteristics in their products .

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Mars shinsyu Distillery Casks

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Utilization of Wine Casks:

• The wine casks from the Yamanashi vineyard were used for aging Mars whiskies. This innovative approach helped in creating unique flavor profiles for their whiskies, incorporating the nuances of the wine casks into the whisky.

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Unique Aging Sites: Varied environments

Varied environments enable Mars Shinshu to produce a wide range of flavor profiles, offering whisky lovers a unique tasting experience that reflects the diversity of Japan’s climates.

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

• Located in the mountainous region of Nagano, at 800 meters above sea level, this is Japan’s highest whisky distillery. The cool, snowy climate slows down the aging process, leading to a more gradual interaction between the whisky and the casks. The result is a smoother, more refined whisky with subtle, delicate flavors  

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

2. Tsunuki (Southern Japan):

• Tsunuki Distillery is located in the warmer, more humid region of Kagoshima. The climate here accelerates the maturation process, as higher temperatures encourage the whisky to absorb more flavors from the wood. Tsunuki-aged whiskies often have richer, bolder profiles with more pronounced woody and spicy notes 

– 88 Bamboo .

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

3. Yakushima Island (Yakushima Aging Cellar):

• The tropical, humid climate of Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, adds another layer of complexity to the aging process. Whiskies aged here are exposed to more intense temperature fluctuations, which enhances the oak’s influence on the whisky, resulting in a robust, rich character with deep fruity and earthy notes  .

Detailed production process at Mars Shinshu Distillery, emphasizing traditional and modern techniques in crafting premium Japanese whisky.

Aroma of Mars shinsyu

• Foreground: A glass of whisky emits visible aromatic vapors, symbolizing the layers of scent that whisky enthusiasts love. The vapors suggest notes of delicate flowers, fresh fruit, and the subtle warmth of oak from cask aging.

Aroma profile of Mars Shinshu Distillery whiskies, featuring notes of dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, green apple, pear, citrus, honey, dark chocolate, and coffee.

• Background: The serene natural setting of the Shinshu region is represented, with lush green mountains and blooming flowers. This emphasizes the purity of the environment, which influences the character of the whisky.

Aroma profile of Mars Shinshu Distillery whiskies, featuring notes of dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, green apple, pear, citrus, honey, dark chocolate, and coffee.

Award of Mars shinsyu

Mars Shinshu Distillery has gained recognition for several key whisky expressions, 

receiving notable awards. One of its most acclaimed whiskies is the Mars Komagatake 27-Year-Old Single Cask, which earned the title of World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky at the 2013 World Whiskies Awards. This expression blended aged whiskies from two of Mars’ closed distilleries and has been highly praised by whisky experts  

– 88 Bamboo.

Mars Shinshu whisky bottle displayed with awards and recognition for its craftsmanship and quality, appreciated by whisky lovers and connoisseurs worldwide.

 Mars Shinshu’s award-winning expressions

If you’re looking for more information on Mars Shinshu’s award-winning expressions, many of their limited-edition bottlings, such as the Komagatake 2020 Single Malt and other exclusive series, have gained significant attention in the whisky community .

Mars Shinshu whisky bottle displayed with awards and recognition for its craftsmanship and quality, appreciated by whisky lovers and connoisseurs worldwide.

Awards records of Mars Shinshu

Mars Shinshu Distillery has attracted attention for its whiskey, which has received high praise and criticism from critics. Here are some overviews of the company’s excellent products and their achievements.

Mars 1987 Salon de Simazi: Released in 2014, this whiskey received a high rating of 91.69, reflecting its high quality.

Mars 1988 Single Cask – Komagatake: These single cask expressions were released in various years, 86.15 (2013), 88.33 (2014), 90.38 (2014) You can see the high quality and the charm of its popularity that you always get high scores in any evaluation.

Mars 1988 Mars Malt Gallery: Another vintage released in 2009 is rated 80.75, demonstrating the distillery’s ability to create diverse and rich flavors.

Mars 1989 Single Cask – Komagatake: Released in multiple batches and received excellent reviews such as 84.00 (2006), 89.00 (2009), 89.86 (2012), and this distillery It shows the consistency of producing the finest whiskey.

Mars 1990 Single Cask – Komagatake: This whiskey released in 2018 is particularly excellent, scoring a high score of 92.00 points.

Mars 1991 Mars Malt Gallery: This series includes various releases such as 2005 and 2009, 87.50 (2009) and 91.00 (2015) It has earned a rating and shows the distillery’s expertise in the production of aged whiskey.

Mars has been involved in the Yakushima Aging project

, where whiskies like the Mars Komagatake 2014 Single Malt were aged on Yakushima Island, known for its unique climate. This project has garnered attention for enhancing the complexity of the whisky through unique aging conditions .

Mars Shinshu whisky bottle displayed with awards and recognition for its craftsmanship and quality, appreciated by whisky lovers and connoisseurs worldwide.

Food environment of Mars shinsyu

These dishes complement the flavor profile of Mars Shinshu whisky, 

offering a balanced and harmonious dining experience for whisky enthusiasts. The serene backdrop adds to the inviting and sophisticated environment perfect for enjoying whisky with Japanese cuisine.

A beautifully presented table of Japanese cuisine, featuring dishes like sashimi, tempura, and yakitori, paired with Mars Shinshu whisky for whisky lovers and enthusiasts

The menu showcased in the image includes traditional Japanese dishes that are often paired with whisky, such as:

1. Sashimi – Fresh, sliced raw fish, typically served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
2. Tempura – Lightly battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables, known for its crispy texture.
3. Yakitori – Grilled chicken skewers, often seasoned with a savory tare sauce or salt.

Cacktail.  Whispering Peaks

A beautifully presented table of Japanese cuisine, featuring dishes like sashimi, tempura, and yakitori, paired with Mars Shinshu whisky for whisky lovers and enthusiasts

Ingredients:

 • 45 ml Mars Shinshu whisky
• 15 ml fresh yuzu juice
• 10 ml honey syrup (mix equal parts honey and water)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Sparkling water (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon peel and a sprig of mint for garnish

Instructions: 

1.  Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Add the whisky, yuzu juice, honey syrup, and bitters.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain into a whisky glass over fresh ice.
5. Top with a splash of sparkling water if desired.
6. Garnish with lemon peel and a sprig of mint.

The name “Whispering Peaks” reflects the serene mountain setting of the Shinshu region, with the subtle and refreshing flavors of yuzu and honey complementing the whisky’s complexity.

The elegant woman enjoying the Whispering Peaks cocktail, 
now accompanied by a simple plate of traditional Japanese food, such as sashimi and tempura. 

A beautifully presented table of Japanese cuisine, featuring dishes like sashimi, tempura, and yakitori, paired with Mars Shinshu whisky for whisky lovers and enthusiasts

Japanese women drink cocktail whisper wearing kimono

A beautifully presented table of Japanese cuisine, featuring dishes like sashimi, tempura, and yakitori, paired with Mars Shinshu whisky for whisky lovers and enthusiasts
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