A private bottle for the Mars Shinshu x Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA. 2015 distillate bottled in 2022. Aged in wine cask from start to finish, this is a rare bottle of Mars whisky. The Kabuki illustrated packaging and label design make this a chic bottle.
Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA is a collaboration between Musashiya and Neu Enterprise Ltd. which operates cigar bars in Nishi-Azabu and Naha, Okinawa. Located in Shibuya, Tokyo, it is a new experience space for tasting and purchasing.
For product lineup and location, please visit the official website.
It appears that a lottery will be held via the official Musashiya app from May 30, 2022 at 10:00 to June 3, 2022 at 12:00.
To apply, download the app, and check details, please visit the official Musashiya website.
1. Manufacturer
Hombo Sake Brewery Co.
| Established | 1872 |
| Head office location | 891-0122; 3-27 Minamiei, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan |
| Owned distilleries | Mars Shinshu distillery, Mars Tsunuki distillery |
2. Distilleries owned
Mars Shinshu Distillery
| Location | 4752-31 Miyata-mura, Kamiina-gun, Nagano 399-4301 |
| Start of operation | 1985 |
In 1949, Hombo Shuzo, which had been striving to make shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit, in Kagoshima, obtained a license to produce whisky. Since then, the company has held on to the dream of “someday making real whisky that takes full advantage of the Japanese climate.
After several years of whisky production in Kagoshima, in 1960, he established the Mars Yamanashi Winery, a factory for wine and whisky production in Yamanashi. Then, in order to engage in whiskey production in earnest, he searched for an even more ideal location.
The natural conditions for whiskey making are very demanding: cold climate with clean air, moderate humidity, and good quality water.
In 1985, after searching for land that met these conditions, Mars Shinshu Distillery was established at an altitude of 798 meters at the foot of Komagatake Mountain in the Central Alps, Nagano Prefecture, in search of the best environment for whisky making.
In 1992, distillation was halted due to sluggish demand for whisky. Later, as Japanese whisky began to be appreciated worldwide, we decided to resume distilling in 2009, when the demand for whiskey was on the recovery trend, and started distilling again in 2010. The company re-started in February 2011.
In September 2020, it was completely renovated for the first time in 35 years. The investment is approximately 1.2 billion yen.
In May 2019, a new whisky distillation building (including a barrel cellar) was built to renovate aging facilities, improve the barrel cellar facilities with a view to increasing whisky production, and provide tours of the whisky making process, as well as a visitor building to sell original whisky and merchandise.
The new whisky distillation building has a total floor area of 1,996m2 (including the barrel cellar, which will hold approximately 2,500 barrels), and the visitor’s building has a floor area of 746m2.
Reference: Hombo Brewery official website
Production capacity: 1.1 tons of malt per day
Production capacity of malt malt: 1.1 t/day
Main facilities: 1 malt crusher, 1 mash tun reuter (saccharification tank) 6KL, 3 stainless steel fermentation tanks 6KL, 3 Douglas fir wooden fermentation tanks (relocated) 6KL, and a first distillation kettle (relocated).
Image exhibit: Mars Shinshu Distillery official website
For more information about Mars Shinshu Distillery, please click here↓.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2021/01/01/japanesedistillery-2/#4-3_Mars_Shinshu_Distillery_Hombo_Sake_Brewery”]
3. Product name and photo
Single Malt Komagatake 2015 Wine Cask Kakuuchi Base Private Bottle
Single Malt Komagatake2015 Wine Cask Kakuuchi Base Private Bottle
4. Features
Mars Shinshu Distillery is located at an altitude of 798 meters above sea level, at the foot of Komagatake Mountain in the Japanese Alps, and is surrounded by the richness of nature.
Mars Whiskey Komagatake 2015 Wine Cask” is the first private bottle from the promotion-focused Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA bar.
The rare 100% wine cask aged Mars Whiskey Komagatake, which is attracting attention from all over the world.
Please enjoy the elegant aroma derived from wine barrels.
Reference: Kakuuchi Base POPUP SHIBUYA official website
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Sweetness of floral honey, chocolate, and vanilla. Astringency of wine. Slight woodiness. |
| Taste | Smooth mouthfeel. Plum-like fruity. Floral, reminiscent of nectar. Good balance between acidity and sweetness. |
| Aftertaste | Soft sweetness remains and fades away cleanly. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| alcohol category | Single malt Japanese whisky |
| Cask type | Wine casks |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity |
| Suggested retail price | 16,280 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | May 2022 |
5. Awards
No awards received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Single Malt Komagatake 2015 Wine Cask Kakuuchi Base Private Bottle |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 16,280 yen (including tax) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is 69,000 yen is as follows. (*As of May 23, 2022)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auction
The selling price on Yahoo! Auction is Lowest 86,000 yen Highest 102,000 yen Average 95,666 yen (*Statistics for the past 180 days from the time of May 23, 2022)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Currently, there seems to be no sales on mail-order sites (as of May 23, 2022).
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
The “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site is 1 cup, 45ml: 5,280 yen, 30ml: 3,520 yen, 15ml: 1,760 yen We offer this service at.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/about-2/barshinkai-4/
7. Summary
We think this is a very nice bottle with a great balance of wine and malt flavors.
Among the whiskies we have recently introduced on this site, it has a low alcohol content of 48% and has an image of smoothness and familiarity on the tongue. As it has been aged for 6 years in wine barrels, the aroma of wine can be felt immediately from the nose. After the wine aroma, sweet aromas such as honey and chocolate appear later.
The taste is also very easy to drink, with a wonderful balance of fruity acidity like plums, astringency of wine, and sweetness of malt.
The eye-catching Kabuki packaging reads “POPUP Kakuuchi Base. We hope you will try this unique appearance and its easy-drinking, well-balanced aroma and taste.
■ Please take a look at other articles about “Hombo Shuzo, Single Malt Komagatake.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2021/07/20/komagatake_ipacask_2021-2/
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.
