Mars : Tsunuki Japanese Spring

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Tsunuki Japanese Spring by Mars

Tasting

Nose
The nose reveals fruity notes (berries, stewed red fruit) reminiscent of crumble, evolving into nuances of apple compote and spices like white pepper and cinnamon, embedded in fine smoke. A fine, salty peat note dominates slightly smoked bacon with hints of nuts and eucalyptus.

Palate
Delicious fruits combine with the acidity of exotic passion fruit and a delicate bitterness of dark chocolate. The peat is subtle on the attack, with almost caramelized sweet notes coming to the fore. The finish is characterized by a beautiful, noble woody, creamy structure that lends depth and energy, with perfect balance. The peat makes a majestic return on the finish, leaving a pleasantly sweet, completely bitterness-free trail on the palate.

An exceptional Japanese whisky with light peat and spring-like notes

Mars Shinshu: the art of Japanese multi-site whisky

Founded by Kiichiro Iwai, the Mars distillery is located in the Japanese Alps near Miyada. Today, the company operates three sites: the historic Komagatake distillery (reopened in 2011), Tsunuki since 2016 in Kagoshima, and an aging cellar on Yakushima Island. This multi-site approach allows for testing different aging climates and creating unique aroma profiles. Mars is characterized by artisanal small-batch production and the innovative use of different barrels, including cherry wood barrels, making its spirits rising references in Japanese whisky.

Tsunuki Japanese Spring: a limited edition celebrating Hanami

The Mars Tsunuki Japanese Spring is a limited edition exclusive to Europe that celebrates the Japanese spring and the Hanami tradition. This exceptional cuvée is produced at the Mars Tsunuki distillery founded in 2016 in Kagoshima on the island of Kyūshū, where the subtropical climate influences the aging process.

Peated malted barley is used for this Single Malt, imparting a delicate smoke characteristic of the entire Tsunuki range. The refined blend combines about 50% first and second fill Bourbon barrels with Sherry and Port barrels, creating remarkable complexity. The innovation lies in the use of cherry wood barrel heads, directly evoking the poetry of Hanami and adding a cultural dimension to this Japanese whisky.