Mars Iwai Tradition Fuyu Chestnut Cask Finish Japanese Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition Fuyu is the winter one — a limited-edition Japanese blended whisky at 40% ABV, finished for four months in rare Japanese chestnut wood casks that add roasted sweetness and gentle tannin — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% vol (80 proof); non-chill filtered
- Size: 750mL
- Type: blended whisky — 70% malted barley / 30% corn, copper pot stills
- Finish: 4 months in Japanese chestnut wood casks
- Base: ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks; NAS (core blend 2–5 years)
- Origin: Mars Shinshu Distillery (Hombo Shuzo), Nagano, Japan — named for Kiichiro Iwai, the "silent pioneer" of Japanese whisky
Winter, in a Bottle
"Fuyu" means winter in Japanese, and the chestnut finish is a seasonal idea — chestnuts are a traditional cold-weather food in Japan. Iwai Tradition is Mars's entry-level malt-heavy blend, and this limited edition layers a rare secondary maturation over the familiar ex-bourbon and ex-sherry base, giving the soft grain-driven whisky a roasted, tannic spine. See more from Mars Shinshu Distillery or explore the store's Japanese whisky range.
Tasting Notes
Brown sugar, maple syrup, and toasted grains on the nose (the importer's read), with maple, dark cherry, orange peel, vanilla, and allspice. Gentle tannin lends structure to rich maltiness on the palate; the finish is elegant and long, with notes of cacao.
How to Enjoy
A winter-season pour — neat or with a little water to show the roasted sweetness. The soft, grain-driven body also makes a solid highball base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iwai Tradition a single malt?
No — it is a blended whisky of malt and corn (grain) spirit from Mars Shinshu; the Komagatake range is the distillery's single-malt line.
What is a chestnut cask finish?
A secondary maturation in casks made of Japanese chestnut wood (rare in whisky), adding roasted, tannic, sweet-nutty character — here four months.
What does "Fuyu" mean?
Fuyu (冬) means "winter" in Japanese — a seasonal release celebrating winter, when chestnuts are a traditional cold-weather food.
Is Iwai a good beginner Japanese whisky?
Yes — Iwai Tradition is Mars's entry-level blended range: soft, approachable, and typically well under half the price of single-malt Japanese whiskies.
Warm your winter shelf: order Mars Iwai Tradition Fuyu Chestnut Cask online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.