It was released as a “Tsunuki Distillery 2021 Limited Edition Bottle”. Originally, this bottle was to be unveiled at the “Tsunuki Distillery Festival 2021” scheduled to be held in November 2021. This is the fifth limited edition bottle. This is the first single cask bottle that uses raw material distilled in the second season of the Tsunuki distillery’s operation (distilled in 2018).
1. Manufacturer
Hombo Shuzo Co.
| Established | 1872 |
| Head office location | 3-27, Minamisakae, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 891-0122, Japan |
| Owned distilleries | Mars Shinshu distillery, Mars Tsunuki distillery |
2. Distillery
Mars Tsunuki Distillery
| Location | 6594 Tsunuki, Kaseda, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 899-3611, Japan |
| Start of operation | 2016 |
Tsunuki , Kaseda, Minami-Satsuma City. It is located in the southwest of the Satsuma Peninsula in a mountainous area full of greenery. Mars Tsunuki Distillery, the southernmost whisky distillery on the mainland It’s a place where you can find the best of both worlds.
Tsunuki, located in the southwestern part of the Satsuma Peninsula, is in a long basin along the Kaseda River, a tributary of the Manose River. Surrounded by the mountains of Mt. Kurata (475m) to the east and Mt. Nagaya (513m) to the west, the topography of the area is basin-like, so the summers are hot and the winters are cold, which is extremely harsh in southern Satsuma.
The area has a natural environment that is a “blessing” with good water resources (Mt. Kurata spring water), and the cultivation of oranges, known as “Tsunuki oranges” is flourishing by making effective use of the mountain slopes.
Tsunuki, blessed with a mild climate and good water resources, is the birthplace of the Hombo Sake Brewery. It has been more than a hundred years since the brewery began making shochu using Satsuma sweet potatoes, one of Satsuma’s most famous specialties.
Reference: Mars Tsunuki Distillery official website
3. Product name and photo
Single Cask TSUNIKI 2021 Sherry Hogshead & Bourbon Barrel 
4. Characteristics
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Single Cask Tsunuki 2021 Sherry Hogshead | Single Cask Tsunuki 2021 Bourbon Barrel | |
| Nose | Chocolate, cookies, berries | Vanilla, cream, melon |
| Taste | Spicy, Raisin, Smoked | Butter, nuts, dried fruits |
| Aftertaste | Herbal, herbaceous, smoky aftertaste | Oily with a good woody finish. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Single Cask Tsunuki 2021 Sherry Hogshead | Single Cask Tsunuki 2021 Bourbon Barrel | |
| Alcohol content | 60% | 61% |
| by alcohol | Single malt whisky | Single malt whisky |
| Barrel type | Sherry casks | Bourbon barrel |
| Contents | 500ml | 500ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited to 438 bottles | Limited to 305 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 7,700 yen (tax included) | 7,700 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | November 15, 2021 | November 15, 2021 |
5. Award history
No awards have been received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | Single cask TSUNUKI 2021 Sherry Hogshead & Bourbon barrel |
| Volume | 500ml |
| Suggested retail price | 7,700 yen each (tax included) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
There seems to be no sales on Mercari at present (*as of November 26, 2021)
6-3. Yahoo Auction Sold Price
There are currently no items for sale on Yahoo Auction (as of November 26, 2021)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
There are no mail order sites that carry this product at this time (*as of November 26, 2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR SHINKAI
At “Bar Shinkai”, which is operated by this website, we offer 1glass, 45ml: 3,300 yen, 30ml: 2,200 yen, 15ml: 1,100 yen It is available at.
7. Summary
I have the impression that many people will be stung by the medium peat (20ppm) in the sherry barrel aging. The sweetness of chocolate, butter, raisins, etc. from the sherry cask, and the spicy and herbaceous astringency, followed by a good smokiness, make it addictive. It can be enjoyed with a little water or with soda.
It is aged in bourbon barrels and has a complex flavor. It has a slight sweetness of vanilla and cream with a hint of fruity melon. The bourbon barrel scent is also straightforward, giving the impression of a lingering finish.
■ Please check out the other articles about Hombo Shuzo and Tsunuki Distillery.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
