Mars Iwai Traditional Malted Japanese Whisky
Mars Iwai Traditional Malted Japanese Whisky — officially Iwai Tradition — is a 750mL malt-forward blended Japanese whisky from Mars Shinshu (Hombo Shuzo) in Nagano, Japan, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and aged primarily in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Blended Japanese whisky — malt-forward (not a single malt)
- Origin: Mars Shinshu (Komagatake) Distillery, Nagano, Japan — Japan's highest whisky distillery, at about 798 metres
- Composition: Malt and grain — importer spec gives 70% malted barley / 30% corn, the malt very lightly peated
- Casks: Primarily ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks
- Namesake: Kiichiro Iwai, the father of Mars Whisky
The Malt-Forward Iwai, from Japan's Highest Distillery
Iwai Tradition honours Kiichiro Iwai, the distillation expert Hombo Shuzo calls the creator of Mars Whisky — the man who sent Masataka Taketsuru to Scotland to study whisky-making and later planned Hombo's whisky division, designing the pot still still kept at the distillery. Tradition is the range's malt-forward blend: per the importer spec, roughly 70% malted barley to 30% corn, the malt very lightly peated, married mainly in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks at Mars Shinshu in Nagano — set between the Central and Southern Alps and proofed with alpine water. Compare it with its corn-forward sibling on the Mars Shinshu Distillery vendor page and in our whisky collection.
Tasting Notes
Per importer tasting notes: balanced, soft and layered — ripe cherry, honey toffee and a ginger-spice note with a delicate hint of peat; related importer notes add clove and wildflower honey on the nose, nougat and milk chocolate on the palate, and cinnamon on the finish.
How to Enjoy
Neat or in a highball, where the light peat and sherry-cask fruit stay in balance; it also carries a whisky sour with more depth than the standard Iwai. More Japanese bottles are in our spirits collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iwai Tradition a single malt?
No — it is a blended Japanese whisky of malt and grain, blended malt-forward; "Tradition" is also the official name (the live title's "Traditional" is a variant spelling).
Who was Kiichiro Iwai?
The distillation expert behind Mars Whisky: he sent Masataka Taketsuru to Scotland to learn whisky-making, later advised Hombo Shuzo and designed its whisky operation — the range is named in his honour, per Hombo.
How is Iwai Tradition different from standard Iwai?
Tradition is malt-forward and lightly peated, aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks; standard Iwai is corn-forward, bourbon-inspired and aged in ex-bourbon barrels only.
Malt, altitude and a whisper of peat — order Iwai Tradition online today from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.