Single Malt Whisky, Japan/Kyushu – Kagoshima

Tsunuki Japanese Spring is a deep, energetic single malt whisky, produced in small batches at the Tsunuki distillery in southern Japan. Around 50% of the casks used are first and second fill bourbon. Sherry and port casks add depth and complexity. Cherry cask heads are used to give it its unique profile. Tsunuki uses whiskies peated at 20 ppm in general, in the style that Tsunuki fans will recognize.

Spring in Japan is synonymous with glorious weather and cherry blossom. It’s often a favourite time of year for the Japanese, and also for the Mars whisky house, renowned for the production of its single malts.

The blossoming begins in the south, at the end of March, and makes its way up the archipelago to the north. Mars’ three aging sites are gradually adorned with pink flowers: first on the island of Yakushima, where a tropical, maritime whisky matures #P,& then continues at Tsunuki, whose distillery produces a deep, energetic whisky and ends further north at the Komagatake distillery, offering a fruity, elegant whisky, where this panorama of pink and white accompanies the melting snow.

As the weather softens in the cities and countryside, locals gather in the parks to contemplate this breathtaking spectacle. The concept of hanami (literally, “looking at flowers”) refers to this traditional Japanese custom of appreciating the beauty of flowers.

TASTING NOTES

Nose : Fruity notes with rich, crumble-like aromas of baked red fruit. The nose becomes more stewed (apples) and spicy (white pepper, cinnamon), enveloped in fine smoke.

Appearance : Or soutenu.

Palate : The fruit is still present and delicious, but is now accompanied by a new acidity with an exotic character (passion fruit) and a delicate bitterness with dark chocolate. The finish is marked by a noble woodiness, delivering a fine structure.

Overall : The unctuous finish adds depth to a mouth full of energy. Perfectly balanced.