Single Malt Whisky from Mars Tsunuki Distillery Part 2 This is the “Single Malt Tsunuki Peated” that will be.
Compared to the first release, “Tsunuki the First” which was released in April of last year, the peat used to dry the malt is more fragrant, giving it a smoky aroma and taste derived from peat.
The Mars Tsunuki Distillery is now in its fifth year since its opening in 2016. The malt raw material is made with high quality spring water from the Kurata mountain range, and the distillery pursues a different type of raw material production from the Shinshu distillery in a maturing environment unique to the basin, where summers are warm and winters can be below zero.
1. Manufacturer
Hombo Shuzo Co.
| Establishment | 1872 |
| Head office location | 3-27, Minamisakae, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 891-0122, Japan |
| Owned distilleries | Mars Shinshu distillery, Mars Tsunuki distillery |
2. Distillery
Mars Tsunuki Distillery
| Location | 6594 Tsunuki, Kaseda, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 899-3611, Japan |
| Start of operation | 2016 |
“Tsunuki” in Kaseda, Minami-Satsuma City. It is located in the southwest part of the Satsuma Peninsula in the middle of a mountain range full of greenery. Mars Tsunuki Distillery, the southernmost whisky distillery on the mainland This is the first of its kind in Japan.
Tsunuki, located in the southwestern part of the Satsuma Peninsula, is in a long basin along the Kaseda River, a tributary of the Manose River. Surrounded by the mountains of Mt. Kurata (475m) to the east and Mt. Nagaya (513m) to the west, the topography of the area is basin-like, so the summers are hot and the winters are cold, which is extremely harsh in southern Satsuma.
The area has a natural environment that is a “blessing” with good water resources (Mt. Kurata spring water), and the cultivation of oranges, known as “Tsunuki oranges” is flourishing by making effective use of the mountain slopes.
Tsunuki, blessed with a mild climate and good water resources, is the birthplace of the Hombo Sake Brewery. It has been more than a hundred years since the brewery began making shochu using Satsuma sweet potatoes, one of Satsuma’s most famous specialties.
Reference: Mars Tsunuki Distillery official website
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Image credit: Mars Tsunuki Distillery Official Facebook
For more information on Mars Shinshu Distillery, please see also.
3. Product name and photo
Single Malt Tsunuki Peated
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4. Characteristics
Mainly peated barrels aged in bourbon.
Single Malt Tsunuki PEATED is made from peated malt distilled in the first season and aged in bourbon barrels. It has a pleasantly sweet and soft aroma, followed by a smoky flavor derived from the peat that spreads in the mouth, giving it a lingering taste that is typical of distilleries in the southernmost part of the mainland.
The two curved lines on the top and bottom of the bottle depict the ridges of the Central Alps in Nagano Prefecture on the top and Sakurajima and other mountains in Kagoshima Prefecture on the bottom. The upper part of the design represents the Central Alps in Nagano Prefecture, and the lower part the ridges of Sakurajima and other mountains in Kagoshima Prefecture, representing the natural environment of the two prefectures where Mars whisky’s distilleries are located, which produce a wide variety of raw materials. (Reference: Hombo Shuzo official website )
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4-1. Tasting Notes
Aroma Fruity sweetness and a sweet aroma derived from bourbon barrels with a hint of peat. Taste Vanilla, honey-like sweetness with a moderate smoky taste. Aftertaste A soft smoky aftertaste lingers. 4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 50% |
| alcohol category | Single malt whisky |
| Barrel type | Mainly bourbon barrels |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited edition of 14,830 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 9,680 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | January 18, 2021 |
5. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | Single Malt Tsunuki Peated |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 8,800 yen (tax included: 9,680 yen) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is Around 12,000 yen to 13,000 yen The resale price on Mercari has become (*As of February 14 , 2021)
On the first day of sales (as of January 18, 2021), it was already being resold.
The following image is from Mercari.
As of 2/14/2021, the situation is like this.
6-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
The winning bid price on Yahoo Auction is Lowest price: 10,150 yen, highest price: 14,800 yen, average price: 12,793 yen (*Statistics for the past 120 days as of February 14 , 2021)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
It is also sold on mail order sites at Around 30,000 to 40,000 yen It is also sold at (*As of February 14 , 2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR SHINKAI” , which is operated by this site, we offer 1 cup, 45ml: 2,970 yen 30ml: 1,980 yen, 15ml: 990 yen. It is also offered in small quantities such as.
7. Summary
The previous “Tsunuki the First” was a delicious whisky with a sweet and juicy taste reminiscent of tropical fruits and maple syrup, and it was hard to believe that it was aged for three years.
The current “Tsunuki Peated” is mainly peated malt aged in bourbon barrels, and as it says, it has a fruity, sweet and soft flavor, followed by a smoky flavor derived from peat that spreads to the mouth. I don’t feel the tidiness of the Islay, but the smokiness is present.
If you add a small amount of water, the fruity sweetness becomes even more assertive and gorgeous in the mouth. It is also sweet in a highball, and the peat is as strong as it is delicious. If you like peat, I highly recommend it.
It feels a little young right after opening the bottle, but I look forward to seeing how it changes in the future.
There is no information yet on the next batch, but I can’t help but look forward to it.
Please check out our other articles on Hombo Shuzo and Tsunuki.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
