February's Spirit of the Month - Mars Whisky Iwai Rye Style
Mars takes their traditional Iwai Whisky, which is a mashbill of 70% corn and 30% unpeated malted barley that has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels, and blends that with an American Rye Whiskey, which has a mashbill of 95% rye 5% malted barley that was aged in new American Oak. Before bottling, the spirits are blended in stainless steel vats for a short period to allow the flavors to mingle. The result is a whisky with rich notes of cocoa and cereal grain up front lead to floral rye spice. Light notes of caramel and delicate tropical fruitiness linger on the palate.
I have always said that there's an elegance and to balance to Japanese Whiskies that you can't find anywhere else. And even in something like this, where only half the "juice" is coming from Mars Komagatake, this is like no other Rye Whisk(e)y I have had. The way it sits on the palate, the layering of flavors, the fact that it's as soft as it is for 50% abv, all are examples of attention to detail in Japanese culture that spill over into their artistry. If you like Japanese Whiskies, this will be very interesting to you, if you like American Ryes, this will be like nothing you have had before. Either way, if you try this, you'll enjoy it.
