MARS The YA Yakushima Japanese Spring

Yakushima Japanese Spring is a tropical, maritime whisky produced in small batches from the single malts of two Mars distilleries: Komagatake and Tsunuki. It is aged mainly in bourbon casks on the tropical island of Yakushima, with its many rivers, forests and mountains. Yakushima Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The climate is hot and tropical, with a high percentage of humidity. This extreme climate gives Mars a different ageing environment from Komagatake and Tsunuki, with a higher proportion of angels. Spring in Japan is synonymous with glorious weather and cherry blossom. It’s often a favorite 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 ; 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. This limited-edition Mars Japanese Spring showcases Mars’ three aging sites with three distinct whiskies, to appreciate the different facets of this very special season. On some of the casks used, the original heads have been replaced by cherry-tree heads. Mars thus offers us a unique trio, worthy of its name “Japanese Spring”, for a year-round taste of Japanese spring.