Mars Tsunuki – 6th Anniversary of Tsunuki Distillery (70cl, 52%)

This is a single malt from the Mars Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima, Japan, released in 2022 to mark the distillery's sixth anniversary. It is a vatting of three ex-bourbon barrels, bottled at 52% in a 70cl bottle, with 657 bottles released in all. It replaced the Tsunuki Distillery Festival, which was cancelled in 2021 because of the coronavirus. It won a Gold medal at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards. The nose is vanilla and sweet citrus fruit. The palate brings vanilla, cream and chocolate, and the finish is clean and sweet with an aroma of bourbon barrel.