Mars Komagatake Single Malt Limited Edition 2020

My inaugural experience with a Japanese Mars whisky is this delightful "Komagatake," meaning "Horse Mountain." It's a 2020 limited release that has garnered significant acclaim and high ratings. I obtained a sample to evaluate. It has a dark gold hue and was bottled at 50% ABV. The aroma is somewhat elusive. Initially, it's reminiscent of peach syrup blended with thick caramel and a hint of dry grass. It's undeniably sweet, predominantly syrupy, with honey and a cough syrup quality. There's also some peppery spice. Deciphering these scents requires effort, as they seem somewhat jumbled. Brownies fresh from the oven are present. The aroma is exceptionally syrupy and very dense. A distinct orange note emerges after five minutes. Following a preliminary taste, the brownie aroma intensifies dramatically, which is remarkable. The palate is not overly intricate but provides considerable enjoyment. It offers notes of dry peaches, honey, and cough syrup, along with peach skin. A subsequent sip revealed increased sweetness. The finish consists primarily of tobacco, with salty and peppery undertones. It's distinctly grassy, with traces of chocolate and malted barley. In summary, this is a robust, sophisticated spirit. While not exceptionally complex, it is quite satisfying. I doubt it will profoundly alter one's perspective, but if you have the opportunity, try a glass. It's intriguing. My assessment is 88 out of 100.

The 2019 Limited Edition (not 2020) immediately evoked associations with both Compass Box Juvenilles and Springbank Green. It's young, vibrant, citrusy, featuring abundant green apple and subtle sweeter fruit notes. The cocoa and prune notes were less pronounced. However, it possessed some Japanese soft malt characteristics that rounded it out, elevating it significantly. A delightful whiskey.. In my opinion, the 2020 release was considerably less satisfying than the 2019. A significant shift in profile occurred, with the bright citrus notes being overshadowed by wood. The 2019 is unequivocally superior to the 2020.

Remarkably unique, very sugary and fruity. The aroma is dominated by prunes and fruits, while the finish has a bitterness akin to cocoa. It's incredibly smooth for 100 proof, though a bit pricey.

Buttery, with subtle stone fruit and caramel flavors. Good, but doesn't quite meet the expectations set by the hype.

Intricate. Smooth. Developing. High-priced.

Sharing a drink with Nikbuds.