Komagatake IPA Cask Finish has been released since 2020, but it is a whisky that has been popular every time and currently sells for more than twice the list price in advance. It is a limited edition whisky released by Hombo Shuzo, and this one is sure to be a popular one as well. Lottery applications have started on the official website. The period is short, so be sure to apply early.
1. About the lottery application
Lottery applications have started on the official Hombo Brewery website.
Click here for the application page.
Application period: Wednesday, July 27, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery results: Winners will be notified on July 29 (Fri.) to the e-mail address they entered when applying.
2. Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish Bottled in 2022
Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish” is a single malt whisky finished in an empty cask of India Pale Ale (IPA), a dark beer brewed at Minami Shinshu Beer Komagatake Brewery using plenty of hops. It has a refreshing citrus-inspired aroma derived from hops, a clear taste of grapefruit and herbs, and a crisp bitter aftertaste, making it a perfect match for a highball.
*This product conforms to the Japan Western Whisky Brewers Association’s “Standards for the Labeling of Japanese Whisky.Reference: Japanese Whisky｜Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish Bottled in 2022｜Honbo Shuzo
Product name | Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish Bottled in 2022 |
|---|---|
| By Sake | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask type | Bourbon casks |
| Number of bottles | Limited to 2,700 bottles |
| Strength | 52% (with a minimum of 2,700 bottles) |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 9,460 yen (tax included) |
| Manufactured at | Mars Shinshu Distillery |
| Producer | Hombo Shuzo Co. |
3. About Mars Shinshu Distillery
The Hombo Shuzo Brewery, which had been striving to make “Shochu”, a Japanese distilled spirit, in Kagoshima, obtained a license to produce whisky in 1949. 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 whisky production in earnest, he sought an even more ideal location.
The natural conditions for whisky 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 suspended due to sluggish demand for whisky. Later, as Japanese whisky began to gain worldwide recognition, the distillery decided to resume distilling in 2009, when demand for whisky was on a recovery trend. 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, first distillation kettle (relocated)
4. Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish Products Released in the Past
4-1. Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish Bottled in 2021
Released in mid-July 2021. Limited to 3,000 bottles. Price: 9,460 yen including tax.
4-2.
4-2. Single Malt Komagatake IPA Cask Finish Bottled in 2020
Released on October 22, 2020. Limited to 2,688 bottles. Price: 9,460 yen including tax.
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.
