2011 Shinshu Mars Distillery Komagatake Zenkoji Memorial Edition Cask Strength Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

Kiichiro Iwai was for many, the "quiet" pioneer of the Japanese whisky industry. It was Mr. Iwai who built the brand "Hombo Brewing" (Hombo Shuzo) as well as providing the instructions for whisky production there. He was Masataka Taketsuru’s immediate superior at the turn of the century and was responsible for sending Taketsuru (of Nikka fame) to Scotland in 1919 to learn how whisky was produced.

The Shinshu distillery (aka "Mars"), founded in 1985 and in operation from 1985-1992 and then 2011 to present is actually Hombo Shuzo's third domestic distillery. The previous have been the Yamanashi Distillery (1960-1969) and the Mars Kagoshima Distillery (1978-1984).

The main single malt brand from the current operation is sold under the 'Komagatake' label, named after a nearby mountain. It's available in a variety of single cask and natural strength expressions. This one was distilled in

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