Mars Iwai Tradition Japanese Whisky (75cl, 40%)

Iwai Tradition is a malt-forward blended Japanese whisky from the Mars Shinshu Distillery in Nagano, in a 75cl bottle at 40% ABV. The range is named after Kiichiro Iwai, the distillation expert behind Mars Whisky. The blend combines malt and grain, with an importer specification of roughly 70% malted barley to 30% corn and a very lightly peated malt. It is matured mainly in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, and the distillery sits in the Nagano mountains at about 798 metres. Tasting notes describe a soft, layered whisky with ripe cherry, honey toffee and ginger spice, and a delicate hint of peat. Clove and wildflower honey appear on the nose, nougat and milk chocolate on the palate, and cinnamon on the finish.