Mars Komagatake Limited Edition 2021 (48%)

This is the 2021 limited edition of Mars Komagatake, a Japanese single malt bottled at 48%. It was made at the Shinshu distillery, which sits by Komagatake, the highest mountain in the Japanese Alps. The mountain gives the malt its name and supplies the clear spring water the distillery uses. For this release the casks also matured at an altitude of nearly 800 metres above sea level. The nose brings quince, apricot, banana and rich creamy vanilla. The palate has honey and hazelnut from sherry casks with a soft melon sweetness, round and creamy. The finish is soft, round and elegant.