Updated 05 Jan 2016
This blend is named after Kiichiro Iwai. He is a mentor of Masataka Taketsuru. As a 14 year senior graduated from the same technical school, Iwai brought Taketsuru into the same brewery, then became his mentor in the company. Along with others in management, Iwai sent Taketsuru to Scotland to learn the art of whisky-making. As the first Japanese to learn the art, Taketsuru returned to Japan and presented a whisky-making report- the Taketsuru Notes- to Iwai. Taketsuru later went on to found Nikka Whisky, and then created Suntory Whisky. Years after that Iwai founded Mars Shinshu distillery with Taketsuru’s notes. As the mentor of The Father of Japanese Whisky, Iwai is referred to by some as The Silent Pioneer of Japanese Whisky.
Colour: Dark caramel
Nose: Very strong scent of grape. Very similar to Brandy or Tawny port.
Taste: Very high in viscosity. You can tell its richness that comes from its oily characteristic when you chew it in your mouth. It is very sweet indeed. Again, initially one can find strong similarities in it with grape-based spirits. However, things can become quite different upon second tasting.
Finish: Upon finish, the aroma that comes back to the nostrils resoundingly similar to Bourbon whiskey. Then on that second tasting, the taste of Bourbon overtakes the initial fruity characteristic of Iwai.
Verdict: The blend is very easy to go down. It is very fruity, and has many layers to its taste. While it is very pleasant I am just not sure if I can say I enjoy a whisky that turns into grape-based spirit like Brandy or Port when it enters my mouth. It is just too unwhisky for me.
Location of the Mars Shinshu Distillery, in Shinshu (Old name for Nagano)
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteWe aare working in Wine & Spirit Industry for years. We import and distribute Spirits in India.
Are you producing Malt whisky for sales and Duty free listing in India ?
We need you Email address of your export department for further details and contact ... We could not find it easily on Internet.
Thanks,
Xavier DEGROOTE.
"While it is very pleasant I am just not sure if I can say I enjoy a whisky that turns into grape-based spirit like Brandy or Port when it enters my mouth."
ReplyDeleteWell, what I would say is kudos to Mars for not trying to slavishly replicate either bourbon or scotch---already made in their home territories to great effect--- with their main 2 offerings, the blue label and the more expensive white label, but creating something akin but new. It is a whisky/whiskey, and you are right about the port or brandy-cognac-y aspects, but if it is tasty---and it sure is!---and refined---and again it sure is---then this drinker says OK, then! And I believe it definitely has a distinct Japanese "aesthetic" to it, from one of the most highly aestheticized cultures in the world.
Cheers for the further comments and insight. Definitely still lots to learn in this world of whisky. Really should have continued with this hobby and review-writing.
DeleteThat bottle is not the IWAI "Tradition," it's just the standard the IWAI. The "Tradition" is a more malt influenced whisky that's likely aged longer. Either way, excellent review!
ReplyDeleteSaw this just now, thank you so much for the note and encouragement. Had I seen this earlier, I would've continued writing whisky reviews, ha ha.
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