Mars Shinshu Komagatake Whisky Sample 2021 Yakushima Aging (30ml, 56.%)

Mars Shinshu Komagatake Whisky Sample 2021 Yakushima Aging (30ml, 56.%)

The Mars Shinshu Komagatake 2021 Yakushima Aging is the fourth release in this experimental series. While the spirit is distilled at the high-altitude Shinshu distillery in the Japanese Alps, it is transported to the tropical island of Yakushima for maturation. The intense humidity and coastal air of the island accelerate the aging process, creating a profile far more mature and "tropical" than its three to five years would suggest.

Tasting Notes

Nose: The aroma is a concentrated mix of tropical sweetness and soft coastal influence. It leads with ripe banana, candied pineapple, and vanilla custard, underpinned by a very delicate white wood smoke. As it sits, deeper notes of tobacco leaf, salted butter, and a hint of dried fruit from the sherry casks emerge.

Palate: The entry is oily and substantial. It begins with the sweetness of maple syrup and milk chocolate before transitioning into a fascinating savory "umami" character—reminiscent of dashi or dried bonito. The peat is earthy rather than medicinal, weaving through layers of orange marmalade, licorice, and a distinct maritime salinity.

Finish: Long and complex. The sweetness fades into a pleasant, refined bitterness like grapefruit zest or dark cocoa. A soft, ashy smoke lingers alongside a final touch of sea salt and warming oak spice.

Fun Fact

Yakushima is one of the wettest places on earth, often called the "Floating Alps on the Sea." Because the humidity frequently exceeds 75%, the "Angel's Share" (evaporation) in the Yakushima aging cellar is much higher than at the Shinshu distillery, leading to a much faster extraction of flavor from the wood.