12 Oct Whisky Wednesday: Mars Amber blended whisky

This week’s Whisky Wednesday is going independent – to the Shinshu Distillery which produces whiskies under the Mars Whisky label.

Whisky: Mars Amber
Distiller: Shinshu Distillery
Country: Nagano, Japan
Type: Blended whisky
ABV: 40%

Mars Amber blended whisky at Tokyo Bird

Colour (what does it look like?):
Amber

Nose (what does it smell like?):
Sherry, honey, malt, raisins

Palate (what does it taste and feel like?):
Light sherry, toffee, dates, nuttiness

Finish (how does the flavour finish on the palate?):
Short, dry sherry, toffee

Background

The Shinshu distillery, located in Miyata city, Nagano prefecture, falls under the ownership of the Hombu Brewing Company which is known as a shochu brewer from the island of Kyushu. Established in 1995, the distillery closed in 2002 due soft demand for Japanese whisky – but it reopened in 2011 amidst the current boom for Japanese whisky. It now distributes whisky products under the Mars label.

A no-age statement blend of malt and grain whiskies, Mars Amber is a simple, smooth whisky with sherry notes and dates on the nose. It’s quite widely available in Japan for everyday whisky drinking.

Best drinking

Good on the rocks or as a highball with soda and lots of ice.

What do you think?

Leave a comment with your thoughts on Mars Amber – or come try it at Tokyo Bird tonight! Mention #WhiskyWednesdays to get free bar snacks with your Whisky of the Week (Wednesdays only).