The “Single Cask Komagatake AGED 9 YEARS Cask No. 1665” introduced in this article is a single The “Single Cask Komagatake AGED 9 YEARS Cask No. 1665” introduced in this article is a single cask whisky, aged for 9 years and 9 months in bourbon barrels from the heavily peated original distilled in March 2013 at the Mars Shinshu Distillery. Limited edition of 192 bottles.
1. Manufacturer
Hombo Shuzo Co.,Ltd.
| Founded in | 1872 |
| Head office | 3-27 Nanei, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 891-0122, Japan |
| Owned distilleries | Mars Shinshu Distillery, Mars Tsunuki Distillery |
2. Distillery
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 whisky production in earnest, he searched for 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 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 whisky 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 1,996 square meter (including the barrel cellar, which will hold approximately 2,500 barrels), and the visitor’s building has a floor area of 746 square meter.
Reference: Hombo Shuzo 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)
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For more information about Mars Shinshu Distillery, please see also here↓.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/japanesedistillery-2-3542/#4-3_Mars_Shinshu_Distillery_Hombo_Sake_Brewery”]
3. Product name and photo
Single Cask Komagatake AGED 9 YEARS Cask No.1665
Single Cask Komagatake Aged 9 Years Cask No.1665
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4. Characteristics
Miyata Village, Kamiina-gun, Nagano Prefecture, is located at the foot of Komagatake, in the Japanese Alps mountain range. The distillery is located in a quiet forest at an altitude of 798 meters, surrounded by high-quality water and abundant nature.
“Single Cask Komagatake AGED 9 YEARS Cask No.1665” is a rare single cask whisky, selected from the malt whisky matured in the cool environment of Shinshu, and bottled from one barrel of heavily peated (50ppm) original whisky matured for more than 9 years in bourbon barrels. It is a rare single cask whisky.
*This product conforms to the Japan Spirits & Liquors Makers Association “Standards for the Labeling of Japanese Whisky.”
Reference: Mars Single Cask Komagatake AGED 9 YEARS Cask No.1665
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Strong peat smell. Vanilla and honey follow at the back. |
| Taste | Caramel-like sweetness and high roasted coffee bitterness. |
| Aftertaste | Light bitterness lingers on the tongue and smoky long tones spread throughout the mouth |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 55% |
| Alcohol category | Single Cask Japanese Whisky |
| Cask type | Bourbon cask |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited to 192 bottles |
| Suggested retail price | 17,600 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | 2023 |
5. Awards
Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC 2023), Gold Medal in the Western Liquor category
＜What is Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits Competition (TWSC)?＞
The Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) is a whisky and spirits competition in Japan, planned and managed by the Whisky Culture Institute. The purpose of the competition is to promote high quality whiskies and spirits both domestically and internationally by evaluating whiskies and spirits from around the world with the deep knowledge and passion of Japanese whisky and spirits connoisseurs. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be determined for each category based on the results of the judging based on aroma, flavor, finish, balance, and overall judging criteria. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes are awarded based on the results of the scoring based on the criteria of aroma, flavor, finish, balance, and overall performance. The Executive Committee deliberates and decides which product receives the most outstanding score among the Gold prizes and awards the “Highest Gold Award”.
6. Price
6-1. Suggested Retail Price
| Product name | Single Cask Komagatake AGED 9 YEARS Cask No.1665 |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested Retail Price | 17,600 yen including tax |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is around 40,000 yen to 42,000 yen. (*As of May 19, 2023)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions
Sold price on Yahoo! Auctions: Lowest 51,000 yen Highest 51,000 yen Average 51,000 yen (*As of May 19, 2023)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Each of these retail sites does not appear to have any sales at this time. (*As of May 19, 2023)
6-5. Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, one glass, 45ml: 5,280 yen, 30ml: 3,520 yen, 15ml: 1,760 yen.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/about-2/barshinkai-4/
7. Summary
I found this whisky to be genuinely very high perfection.
The strong peat smell as imagined from the high phenol value of 50ppm, which is comparable to Ardbeg, reminds me of Islay whiskies such as Ardbeg and Laphroaig, and when you put it in your mouth, elements such as peaty and smoky run through your mouth at once.
After finishing, the gentle bitter taste and smoky aftertaste linger on the tongue for a long time, and Islay fans will be able to enjoy an unbearably happy time.
It is a whisky with such a strong character that can be drunk in any way, and although it is quite extravagant, it can be enjoyed as a highball, which is sure to be a superb drink in which the power of the peat and the freshness of the carbonation can be enjoyed at the same time.
“Single Cask Komagatake” is currently available on a regular basis. However, since it is limited to a very small number of bottles, it seems to be quite difficult to obtain. If you have a chance to drink it, it would be nice to compare the two.
At BAR Shinkai, we also have “Single Cask Komagatake Yakushima Aged Cask No. 2026” and “Single Cask Komagatake 2014 No.1834 AGED 6 YEARS” etc. Please check out our reviews here.
[clink url=https://en.jpwhisky.net/2023/05/15/singlecask_komagatake_no2026-2/][clink url=https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/02/14/singlecask_komagatake_no1834-2/]
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.
