Japan’s Highest
Elevation Distillery
Mars Shinshu
Whisky Distillery
“IWAI”EST. 1985 - NAGANO, JAPAN
Notables:
- Distilling Whisky since 1949
- Whisky made in and evolved in Japan, distilled in the highest elevation, cold Japan Alps mountains
- Iwai is the namesake of the Japanese Whisky pioneer
Products
From Mars Whisky
About Mars Shinshu Distillery
Hombo Shuzo started distilling whisky in 1949. Beginning in the Yamanashi Prefecture, then moving to Kagoshima, then finally establishing themselves in Nagano, Hombo Shuzo understands the importance of brewing whisky in the ideal climate. Nestled between Japan’s Southern and Central Alps, Hombo Shuzo stands at an elevation of 798m above sea level- the highest whiskey distillery in all of Japan. The climate of very cold winters and moderate summers, along with high-quality water, make it the ideal environment to distill whisky.
The creator of Mars Whisky, Iwai Kiichiro, is a pioneer of Japanese whiskey. When working at Settsu Brewery, he sent Masataka Taketsuru to England to learn about Whisky. Taketsuru returned and presented Iwai the Taketsuru Report, which is regarded as the origin of Japanese Whisky. Iwai moved on to establish Hombo Shuzo as a whisky distiller and company to create genuine, high-quality Japanese whiskies.
Born and aged in natural clean water and a cool environment, Mars whiskey produces rare whiskeys such as blended whiskeys and unique single casks.