Mars Maltage "Cosmo"

The aroma is at first bright and metallic, carrying phenolic notes that bring to mind the earliest inexpensive scotches experienced previously. Names like JW red or Dewars WL come to mind. After a few minutes of air, the malt becomes dominant with strong hints of grain and leather. Beneath that, there's a touch of pear or white grape attempting to make its presence known. The taste is sweeter than anticipated, moving towards vanilla and cream before shifting midway to the barley that was late to the party on the nose. The back of the palate is woody and dry, not bad but not particularly special. There's really no distinct finish, just a bit more barrel and a whisper of smoke so faint I wondered if my neighbor was lighting up next door. It's good, and I'd gladly drink it if offered, but there's no need to keep a bottle on hand.

This is a very intriguing concept for a Japanese blend. Spirits created from the Japanese distillery Shinshu and from unknown Scottish distilleries. Aroma: Sugary sweet, cherries. Has an odd artificial scent. Palate: Chocolate Hob-Nob biscuits, oak and a touch of vanilla. Finish: Dark fruit and more chocolate biscuits. Overall, I was initially uncertain about this whisky, but it quickly grew on me. It’s an easy-drinking and very fascinating dram. I was challenged in a blind tasting to guess its origin and this completely stumped me! The mix of Scottish and Japanese styles works surprisingly well together.

Aroma: chocolatey and nutty. Dates, raisins. The aroma isn't strong despite those notes; they are present but very subtle. Perhaps a touch of clove, some very light honey and molasses. Palate: Flavors of sherry, as expected from the aroma. Sarsaparilla, vanilla, a slightly toasted note. It reminds me of that chocolate with pretzel bits I had recently. Finish: Biscuity, grainy and a little like play-doh. Overall: It's interesting to try a whisky with such a significant sherry influence that isn't 'heavy'. This was pleasant and moderate, not too light either. Well-balanced but with a good impact.

An intense, blended malt containing whisky from the little-known Japanese distillery Shinshu, along with whiskies from unspecified Scottish distilleries. It presents a delicate beginning with hints of vanilla, sweet red fruits (cherry & sugary raspberry); its development introduces notes of orange oil, chocolate, fresh barley & toasted oak; culminating in a long & intricate conclusion with notes of fresh plum, white grape, cereals & chocolate biscuits. October 2017 / August 2022

This one is challenging to describe. It's sharp with many elements present. There are sweet notes, spices, bitterness, and salt. Hints of tobacco and caramel are detected. Nose: Dark fruit with undertones of damp earth and wood. It becomes sweeter and smoother over time. Palate: Sharp spices and woody tones alongside licorice. It registers as both bitter and sweet on the tongue. Finish: A rather long, spicy finish with prominent wood notes and a distinct chocolate presence. It concludes with a bitter note.

WhiskeyLive Dublin 2018. This was the least impressive whiskey of the evening at WhiskeyLive. My palate was certainly fatigued by that point, but the off-putting taste of this one was undeniable – I couldn't get past a sour, metallic aroma and flavor. I then tried the Mars Komagatake Nature of Shinshu Shinamotanpopo, which was quite good (3.5) and vastly superior to this.