MARS Tsunuki The First

- Bottler: Mars Shinshu
- Distillery: Mars Shinshu
- Alcohol content: 59% vol.
- Bottling: 2016717
- Declared age: 2020
- Equipment: GP
- Content quantity: 0.7 L
- Type: Single Malt Whisky
- Cask type: Oak casks
- Coloring: natural color
- Origin: Japan

The Japanese Mars Shinshu Distillery stands for tastefully balanced, smooth, and very complex whiskies that strongly resemble their Scottish relatives. What makes the bottlings from the Japanese distillers particularly exciting is that they mature in completely different climate zones, from tropical to alpine – constantly providing new surprises for the palate.

The Single and Blended Malts are partly produced in Japan's cold, humid Alps, where they mature very slowly at temperatures down to -15°C. Since 2016, however, Mars has also been distilling in Tsunuki, in the subtropical south of the country, between 36°C and bitterly cold temperatures. Mars completes its climate experiments with another warehouse on Yakushima Island. With up to 76 percent humidity, the Mars Whisky develops distinctly maritime notes during its maturation here.

This week's highly limited new releases showcase the full diversity of Japanese whisky makers. Mars Maltage Cosmo Wine Cask Finish is a version of the standard Cosmo bottling. The reddish Blended Malt of Japanese and Scottish Single Malts received a fruity-aromatic finish in selected wine casks. With Komagatake Yakushima Aging, Mars expands its series of special bottlings. The 53% Single Malt matured in the warehouse on the coast of the tropical rainforest island of Yakushima and offers a taste profile ranging from citrus notes to peat and vanilla sauce.

An absolute premiere is the Single Malt from Tsunuki – aptly named The First. Distilled in 2016-2017, it is the first Single Malt from the southern Mars distillery. This cask-strength Japanese Whisky with an impressive 59% vol. is limited to 9,984 bottles worldwide.