Hombo Shuzo’s Tsunuki Distillery 2026 Edition is now available. Reviewing a single malt Japanese whisky you can buy for under ¥10,000.
The Tsunuki Edition series, released annually in January.
Mars Tsunuki Distillery, where the basin’s unique temperature fluctuations and the high-quality water from the Kurata Mountain Range come together. This single malt is a vatting of spirits matured primarily in bourbon barrels and sherry casks, along with various other casks.
With a suggested retail price of ¥9,020 (tax included) and ample production every January, it’s one of the more accessible single malt Japanese whiskys.
1. Bottle photo and where to buy
Single Malt Tsunuki 2026 Edition
Single Malt tsunuki 2026 Edition 
2. Features
Mars Tsunuki Distillery Single Malt Whisky, released in 2026“Single Malt Tsunuki” is crafted at the Mars Tsunuki Distillery, nestled in the lush mountains of the southwestern Satsuma Peninsula. This location benefits from the basin’s unique climate with significant temperature variations and the high-quality spring water from the Kurata Mountain Range.
The “2026 Edition” is a single malt whisky released in 2026, blended from malt whiskys matured primarily in bourbon barrels and sherry casks, along with various other casks.
Blender’s Comment: Enjoy its rich fruit aromas and a full-bodied, deep, and complex flavor.Source: Single Malt Tsunuki 2026 Edition | Japanese Whisky | Hombo Shuzo Official Website
2-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Sweet potato yōkan, orange peel, smoked nuts; after dilution, apple compote; overall sweet aroma |
| Taste | Honey, yellow peach, pineapple, kumquat, citrus candy |
| Finish | Bourbon and sherry-derived flavors blend well, lingering long |
2-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol Content | 49% |
| Types of Alcohol | Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Cask Type | Primarily Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Casks |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| Number of Bottles Sold | Not disclosed |
| MSRP | ¥9,020 (tax included) |
| Release Date | January 2026 |
3. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
4. Price
4-1. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| Product Name | Single Malt Tsunuki 2026 Edition |
| Content capacity | 700ml |
| MSRP | ¥9,030 (tax included) |
4-2. Resale Price on Mercari
Resale prices on Mercari could not be confirmed at this time. (As of 2026/1/22)
4-3. Yahoo! Auctions Winning Bid Price
No winning bids on Yahoo! Auctions could be confirmed at this time. (As of 2026/1/22)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Retail websites also confirmed sales at the list price. (As of 2026/1/22)
4-5. Price at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai , ” operated by this site, we offer it at: 45ml: ¥2,640, 30ml: ¥1,760, 15ml: ¥880 per glass.
5. Manufacturer
Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd.
| Established | 1872 |
| Headquarters | 891-0122; 3-27 Minami Sakae, Kagoshima-City, Kagoshima Prefecture |
| Distilleries Owned | Mars Shinshu Distillery, Mars Tsunuki Distillery |
6. Distilleries
Mars Tsunuki Distillery
| Location | 6594 Tsunuki, Kaseda, Minamisatsuma-City, Kagoshima Prefecture 899-3611 |
| Start of Operations | 2016 |
Kaseda, Minamisatsuma-City, “ Tsunuki “. Nestled within the lush mountains of the Satsuma Peninsula’s southwest lies Mars Tsunuki Distillery, the southernmost whisky distillery on the mainland.
Tsunuki, located in the southwestern part of the Satsuma Peninsula, lies in a long, narrow basin along the Kaseda River, a tributary of the Mannose River. Surrounded by Mount Kurata (475m) to the east and Mount Chouya (513m) to the west, its basin-like terrain makes summers hot and winters exceptionally harsh for southern Satsuma.
Blessed with high-quality water resources (Mount Kurata Spring) and a natural environment that could be called a “gift from heaven,” the area also thrives with mandarin orange cultivation, effectively utilizing the mountain slopes. These oranges are known as “Tsunuki mandarin orange.”
Tsunuki, blessed with a warm climate and excellent water resources, is the birthplace of Hombo Shuzo. For over a century since beginning shochu production using Satsuma’s representative specialty, the sweet potato, we have thoroughly understood this land’s water and climate. In Tsunuki, where the tradition of sake brewing is carried on to this day, we are now dedicated to whisky production.
Source: Mars Tsunuki Distillery Official Website
7. Summary
Following last year’s release, this is another expression that offers a fruity character while also delivering a solid sweetness.
Enjoy it neat or on the rocks, of course, but its solid body also allows you to fully appreciate its flavor and taste when served twice up or with water.
We highly recommend picking up a bottle if you see it available.
■ Be sure to check out our other articles on Hombo Shuzo’s Tsunuki Distillery whiskys.
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.
