Limited edition bottle commemorating the 6th anniversary of the completion of the Hombo Shuzo and Mars Tsunuki Distillery.
The “Tsunuki Distillery Festival,” which had been held every November, was cancelled in the “festival” format following last year due to the new coronavirus. This 6th anniversary commemorative bottle was sold as “Tsunuki Distillery Festival Limited Edition” which has been sold every year.
1. Manufacturer
Honbo Shuzo Co.
| Established | 1872 |
| Head office location | 891-0122; 3-27 Nanei, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan |
| Owned distilleries | Mars Shinshu distillery, Mars Tsunuki distillery |
2. Distillery
Mars Tsunuki Distillery
| Location | 6594, Kaseda-Tsunuki, Minami-Satsuma-shi, Kagoshima 899-3611 |
| Start of operation | 2016 |
“Tsunuki“ in Kaseda, Minamisatsuma City. “Mars Tsunuki Distillery,” the southernmost whisky distillery on the mainland, is located in the mountains full of greenery in the southwest of Satsuma Peninsula.
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 Mt. Kurata (475m) to the east and Mt. Nagaya (513m) to the west, the basin-like topography makes the summers hot and the winters cold, which are extremely severe in South Satsuma.
The area has a natural environment that is a “blessing from nature” with good water resources (Mt. Kurata spring water), and is known as “Tsunuki Mikan” (mandarin oranges) because of the effective use of the mountain slopes.
Blessed with a mild climate and good water resources, Tsunuki is the birthplace of the Honbo Shuzo. It has been more than 100 years since the brewery started making shochu using Satsuma sweet potatoes, one of Satsuma’s representative specialties.
Reference: Mars Tsunuki Distillery official website
3. Product name and photo
Single Malt Tsunuki 6th Anniversary
Single Malt Tsunuki 6th Anniversary
4. Characteristics
Single malt whisky vatted from three bourbon barrels carefully selected by the blender from the malt distilled and matured at the Mars Tsunuki distillery.
Reference: What’s New 2022｜Honbo Brewery Co.
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Vanilla, sweet citrus fruits |
| Taste | Vanilla, cream, chocolate |
| Aftertaste | Clean sweetness, bourbon barrel aroma |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 52% alcohol by volume |
| By Sake | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Barrel type | Bourbon Barrel |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited to 657 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 11,000 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | November 14, 2022 |
5. Awards
No awards received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | Single Malt Tsunuki 6th Anniversary |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 11,000 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
Resale price on Mercari 36,000-45,000 yen around (*) The resale price on Mercari is around 36,000 yen to 45,000 yen. (*As of 12/12/2022)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions
Sold prices on Yahoo! Auctions are as followsLowest 30,000 yen Highest 31,350 yen Average 30,675 yen
(* Statistics for the past 180 days from 12/12/2022)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
We are currently unable to confirm any listings on mail-order websites. (*As of 12/12/2022)
6-5. Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At BAR Shinkai, which is operated by this site 1 45ml: 3,300 yen, 30ml: 2,200 yen, 15ml: 1,100 yen The price per glass is 45ml: 3,300 yen, 30ml: 2,200 yen, 15ml: 1,100 yen.
7. Summary
The taste is clean and sweet. The vanilla taste, which is a characteristic of bourbon barrels, is in full bloom. The texture is mellow, with a clean sweetness of citrus and chocolate cream. It is easy to drink with almost no alcohol taste. Even when water is added, the sweetness and richness are maintained without changing the flavor.
The whisky is sweet and easy-drinking single malt whisky.
Please check out our other articles on other whiskies from Hombo Brewery and Tsunuki Distillery.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/07/12/mars_the_ya01-2/
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/01/27/tsunuki_2022_edition-2/
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.
