Shinshu Mars Komagatake 2013 Double Cellars

Since 2011 spirit trickles from the stills at Shinshu Mars and for this Double Cellars a vatting was made from malt that matured in warehouses from Shinshu and Tsunuki, hence the name. There are two versions: one on bourbon and one on sherry. We’ll try the one from 2018, bottled at 46% from American oak.

Oriental (indeed) nose on lots of citrus fruit and vanilla, raw barley (smells great!), sultanas and white chocolate, the crust of white bread and soft oak. This smells lovely. And Japanese! That means a lot these days.

Unfortunately the body is quite light, but the taste is just fine. Again lots of vanilla and white chocolate (very prominent and lovely now), joined by some sultanas, honey and white pepper. Fairly straightforward, but when it’s this good, I do not mind at all. The ABV is fine.

The finish starts on citrus fruit, goes to vanilla and back and suddenly becomes very candy-like and creamy. White chocolate at the death.

Hurray! A real Japanese malt and a good one to boot. Rest assured that this one will go into the bar. Thx, Manny!