Nagano, Japan

Mars Shinshu

Japan's Alpine Whisky — Small, Quiet, and Full of Surprises

Hombo Shuzo, a family-owned spirits company dating back to 1872, first attempted whisky distillation at their Kagoshima facility in 1949. In 1985, they moved production to Shinshu in Nagano Prefecture, seeking the cold climate and pristine water of the Japanese Alps.

The distillery was mothballed from 1992 to 2011 as Japanese whisky fell out of domestic favour. When global interest exploded in the 2010s, Mars Shinshu was quietly revived — and found itself sitting on a small but precious inventory of aged stock.

Est. 1985 Nagano, Japan Official Website

Founded

1985

Region

Nagano, Japan

Owner

Hombo Shuzo (family)

Altitude

798m above sea level

Stills

2 (1 wash, 1 spirit)

Annual Output

~50,000 litres

The Story

Founded 1985

Today, Mars Shinshu produces whisky that's genuinely different from the Suntory/Nikka duopoly. The Iwai Tradition — named after Kiichiro Iwai, whose notes from a 1918 trip to Scotland inspired Japan's whisky industry — is a beautiful expression of this unique terroir.

The Mars Shinshu Style

The high-altitude maturation — cold winters, cool summers, and significant temperature variation — creates a slower, more deliberate ageing process. The whisky develops softer tannins and a more delicate character than lowland-matured Japanese whiskies.

Mars Shinshu uses a variety of cask types including bourbon, sherry, and wine casks, with some experiments in Japanese Mizunara oak. The spirit tends toward stone fruit, cherry blossom, and subtle smoke — distinctly Japanese yet different from Yamazaki or Hakushu.

Signature Notes

Cherry Blossom Stone Fruit Soft Oak Caramel Mild Smoke Alpine Herbs

Don't Miss

Mars Iwai Tradition

Named after the godfather of Japanese whisky, Iwai Tradition is a smooth, approachable blend with cherry blossom, dried apricot, and caramel. At under $40, it's the most accessible entry point to Japan's lesser-known distilleries.