Mars Iwai 45 Whisky
*please note that the ABV of this bottle may vary California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 WARNING.
  • sweet
  • pear
  • toffee
  • caramel
  • milk chocolate
  • stewed fruit
  • milk
  • butterscotch
  • strawberry

Mars Whisky

Mars Iwai 45 Whisky (0.75l, 45%*) *please note that the ABV of this bottle may vary
Price $32.99

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Character Goatson

As close to a fruit-forward cocktail Bourbon as you can find… in Japan.

The Hombo family has been creating Wines and Spirits in Japan for more than 100 years. They added Whisky to their products in 1949. In 1984 they wanted to move the distilling operation to a cooler climate, so they closed their distillery in Kagoshima and built a new one high in the mountains of Nagano at an altitude of more than 2600 feet — the Mars Shinshu Distillery. But a few mishaps caused them to cease production in 1992. It opened again in 2011, and new stills were acquired in 2014. But their warehouse still contain hundreds of casks stretching back thirty years. Now at full production strength, this small distillery produces a range of sweet and peated Whiskies.

These days we are used to solid Single and Blended Malt Spirits coming from Japan. But the Mars Shinshu Distillery came out with their Blue Label Whiskey a few years back which is an attempt at what they call "American style" Whiskey — which means Bourbon in any language. Mars Iwai 45 is a higher proof — 45% ABV — version of that same Spirit designed for making cocktails. The mash bill is decidedly high corn (75%) and relatively high malted barley (25%). And it’s aged in ex-Bourbon casks, so the flavor profile is decidedly American, but the uniqueness of the environment and distilling techniques in Japan yield a "stewed fruit" flavor profile.
*please note that the ABV of this bottle may vary California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 WARNING.

Appearance / Color
Medium Amber

Nose / Aroma / Smell
The nose has notes of vanilla and butterscotch with stewed apple and strawberry tones.

Flavor / Taste / Palate
The flavor profile leans pleasantly sweet with ripe d’anjou pears, milk chocolate, quince, and toffee.

Finish
The finish last long enough with a lingering sweetness.
Flavor Spiral TM
About the Flavor Spiral
What does Mars Iwai 45 Whisky taste like?

The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Mars Iwai 45 Whisky and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.

We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.

Back to flavor spiral
  • sweet
  • pear
  • toffee
  • caramel
  • milk chocolate
  • stewed fruit
  • milk
  • butterscotch
  • strawberry
Mars Iwai 45 Whisky
Mars Whisky Mars Iwai 45 Whisky
Dog Dogson's Smartass corner
Character Dogson
Japanese Single Malts, like Scotch, are double-distilled in pot stills. Grain Whiskies, on the other hand, are distilled in column stills.
In recent years, Japanese Whiskies have won several top prizes at the World Whisky Awards and have consistently scored higher than Scotch Whiskies in blind tastings. Talk about a student surpassing the master!
Japanese Whisky is connected both to Scotch and Bourbon. It’s a Scotch-style Spirit that’s matured in climates similar to Kentucky’s.
The Highball brought Japanese Whisky back to life. Aside from some attention from overseas, Japanese Whisky consumption domestically was very low during the better part of the early 2000s. It wasn’t until 2008, when Suntory launched the Highball campaign featuring their Kakubin Whisky that things kicked off.
Japan is the second biggest producer of Single Malt Whisky in the world.
Whisky or Whiskey? The spelling differs geographically. In Scotland, Japan, and some other parts of the world, distilleries usually spell it Whisky; in Ireland and the USA, they spell it Whiskey.
Similar drinks
Dog Dogson's Smartass corner
Character Dogson
Japanese Single Malts, like Scotch, are double-distilled in pot stills. Grain Whiskies, on the other hand, are distilled in column stills.
In recent years, Japanese Whiskies have won several top prizes at the World Whisky Awards and have consistently scored higher than Scotch Whiskies in blind tastings. Talk about a student surpassing the master!
Japanese Whisky is connected both to Scotch and Bourbon. It’s a Scotch-style Spirit that’s matured in climates similar to Kentucky’s.
The Highball brought Japanese Whisky back to life. Aside from some attention from overseas, Japanese Whisky consumption domestically was very low during the better part of the early 2000s. It wasn’t until 2008, when Suntory launched the Highball campaign featuring their Kakubin Whisky that things kicked off.
Japan is the second biggest producer of Single Malt Whisky in the world.
Whisky or Whiskey? The spelling differs geographically. In Scotland, Japan, and some other parts of the world, distilleries usually spell it Whisky; in Ireland and the USA, they spell it Whiskey.
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