Mars Distillery The Y.A. #4 Japanese Single Malt Whisky 700ml - Premium Shinshu Distillery Limited Edition 700mL

Mars Distillery The Y.A. #4 is a limited-edition Japanese blended malt whisky, aged in the Yokushima (“Y.A.” = Yakushima Aging) cellar located on Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It combines malt from Mars Shinshu (Nagano) and Mars Tsunuki (Kagoshima) distilleries, matured primarily in ex-bourbon barrels in the humid, salty, and tropical climate of Yakushima. This expression showcases Mars’s commitment to experimental maturation, delivering a deeply flavored, richly textured whisky that bridges sweet tropical fruit tones with a delicate peat smoke. With an ABV of 50% and only 9,000 bottles released, it is a collector-worthy and highly characterful dram.

 

 

Tasting Notes

• Nose (Aroma):
  Bright citrus peel, especially hyuganatsu (Japanese summer citrus), golden kiwi, faint hints of marine salt, and a whisper of mossy forest-like peat. Also some cork and soft wood notes.  
• Palate (Taste):
  Grilled pineapple, roasted corn, and a sweet-spice layer of cinnamon sugar. There’s a warming fruit sweetness underlaid with a subtle smoky depth.  
• Finish:
  A lingering, balanced finish: sweet-sour fruit notes fade into a salty, smoky complexity.