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Everything you need to know about Shinshu Mars Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Mars Japanese Whisky Komagatake Nature of Shinshu Rindo£149.99 Inc VAT -
Mars Blended Whisky The Lucky Cat 9th Release Hana & Choco£94.99 Inc VAT -
Mars Blended Whisky The Lucky Cat 7th Release Luna£109.99 Inc VAT -
Mars Blended Whisky The Lucky Cat 8th Release May and Luna£109.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Shinshu Mars, Japan. Founded in 1985.
Shinshu Mars Distillery sits high up in the Japanese Alps in Nagano, and that setting shapes everything about the whisky. It was first opened in 1985 by Hombo Shuzo, a company with a long background in drinks production.
The location is unusual — it’s one of the highest distilleries in Japan, surrounded by mountains, clean air, and cooler temperatures compared to other parts of the country. That cooler climate slows down maturation slightly, giving the whisky more time to develop in a controlled way.
Production wasn’t always continuous. The distillery paused operations in the 1990s due to lower demand for whisky in Japan, before restarting in 2011 as interest picked up again. Since then, Shinshu Mars has become a key name in Japanese whisky, known for a style that sits somewhere between light and structured.
Taste Profile
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 |
 |
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Oaky / Woody |
Fruity | Sweet |
Shinshu Mars whiskies tend to be clean and well-balanced. You’ll often notice orchard fruit like apple and pear, followed by a gentle honey sweetness.
The oak comes through steadily rather than aggressively, adding structure without overpowering the lighter notes. Compared to some other Japanese whiskies, there’s a slightly more noticeable depth here, but it still keeps that smooth, precise character.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Apple / Pear |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
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Honey |
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Vanilla |
Most Popular Bottles
Mars Komagatake
The main single malt range, named after the nearby mountain.
Mars Iwai Tradition
A blended whisky with a slightly richer and spicier profile.
Mars The Lucky Cat Series
Limited releases with different cask influences and styles.
Mars Maltage Cosmo
A blended malt combining different Mars distillery stocks.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Shinshu Mars
Address: 4752-31, Miyada, Kamiina District, Nagano 399-4301, Japan
 Open in Maps |
 house.suntory.com |
 +81 75 962 1423 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — Shinshu Mars has a visitor centre.
Typical opening hours
- Daily
- Around 09:00 – 16:00
Visitors can tour the distillery and sample the whisky, with views across the surrounding mountains.
Ownership History
Owner
- Hombo Shuzo
Founded
- 1985
Production Pause
- 1990s
Restarted
- 2011
The distillery remains part of a long-established Japanese drinks company.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Mars Shinshu Distillery is located in the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture, making it one of the highest whisky distilleries in Japan.
It was originally opened in 1985 by Hombo Shuzo but was mothballed in 1992 due to low demand for Japanese whisky at the time. As global interest in Japanese whisky grew, the distillery was reopened in 2011.
Today, it forms the core of Mars Whisky’s production, alongside other facilities such as Tsunuki Distillery in southern Japan.
Production
- Spirit Type: Japanese single malt whisky
- Stills: Copper pot stills
- Water Source: Granite-filtered mountain water
- Climate: Cool alpine climate (slower maturation)
- Cask Policy: Wide range including bourbon, sherry, wine, and Japanese oak
The high-altitude environment leads to slower, more gradual maturation compared to warmer regions.
Whisky Style
Mars Shinshu whiskies typically show:
- Medium body
- Clean malt character
- Orchard fruit (apple, pear)
- Honey and vanilla
- Light spice and gentle oak
The style is generally elegant and balanced, reflecting the cooler maturation conditions.
Key Expressions
- Mars Komagatake – Flagship single malt series
- Mars Cosmo – Blended malt whisky
- Limited single cask and annual releases
Komagatake releases often vary by vintage and cask type.
Significance
Mars Shinshu is a key example of the revival of Japanese whisky production. Its reopening reflects the broader resurgence of the category globally.
The distillery’s high-altitude location and cool climate differentiate it from other Japanese producers, contributing to a more delicate and refined maturation style.
Shinshu Mars Whisky to Buy
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