Mars

In 1985, shochu maker Hombo Shuzo built a new plant in Nagano Prefecture that, at around 800 metres above sea level, remains Japan's highest-altitude whisky distillery to this day – but it had to lie dormant from 1992 to 2011 due to weak demand. It was only the worldwide boom in Japanese whisky that brought Mars back to life.

Mars stands for whisky made at 800 metres altitude, shaped by soft glacier water and strong seasonal temperature swings. From the Mars Kasei blend to the Mars Komagatake single malt, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

How did a distillery survive almost 20 years of dormancy?

The Hombo family began producing shochu in 1909 and, with the help of their advisor Kiichiro Iwai, obtained a whisky-distilling licence in 1949. In 1985, Hombo Shuzo moved whisky production to the newly built Shinshu distillery, situated between Japan's Southern and Central Alps in the city of Miyada, Nagano Prefecture. Weak demand for Japanese whisky, however, forced the company to mothball the distillery from 1992 to 2011. It was only the international boom in Japanese whisky that prompted Hombo Shuzo to bring the distillery – today usually known as Mars Komagatake, after the nearby mountain – back into operation.

What makes the location in the Japanese Alps so special?

At around 800 metres above sea level, Mars is Japan's highest-altitude whisky distillery. The Nagano region offers an abundance of soft, delicate glacier water and a temperate climate with strong swings between summer and winter – conditions that give the maturation process a distinctive profile.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. Mars Kasei
The distillery's approachable blend (Japanese for "Mars").
Taste: Soft and round with subtle sweetness.
Serving suggestion: An uncomplicated introduction to Japanese whisky.

2. Mars Maltage Cosmo
A blended malt combining different Mars cask stocks.
Taste: Multi-layered with fruit and malt notes.
Serving suggestion: For anyone wanting to explore the distillery's range.

3. Mars Komagatake Single Malt
The eponymous single malt, named after Mount Komagatake.
Taste: Fruity and fresh with an alpine crispness.
Serving suggestion: A good introduction to Japanese single malt beyond the big names.

Facts and figures

Location: Miyada, Nagano Prefecture, Japan (around 800 m altitude). Owner: Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd. Reopened after dormancy: 2011.