{"product_id":"mars-komagatake-x-chichibu-malt-duo-single-malt-whiskey-700ml","title":"Mars Komagatake X Chichibu Malt Duo Single Malt Whiskey","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMars Komagatake x Chichibu Malt Duo Single Malt Whisky\u003c\/strong\u003e is a cask-strength marriage of two of Japan's most chased distilleries — Hombo Shuzo's Mars and Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu — and, with roughly 1,170 bottles released to the US, it is aimed squarely at the collector who has watched both names vanish from shelves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess \u0026amp; Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottled at 54% ABV without dilution, the Malt Duo grew out of a project the two houses began in 2015, when they traded new-make spirit and each laid the other's whisky down in their own warehouses. Nearly six years later the result runs just over half Mars Komagatake, married with Chichibu's Ichiro's Malt — both components carrying a minimum of five years — and drawn from ex-bourbon, sherry and American white oak casks. Chichibu, founded by Ichiro Akuto in 2008, has become one of the most collected names in world whisky, which is exactly what makes a bottle pairing it with Mars so unusual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, honeyed barley, dried apricot, orange oil, sandalwood and a light waft of sherried raisin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the palate, cask-strength weight carries baked apple, cinnamon, toasted oak, dark honey and a peppery malt spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe finish is long and warming, oak-driven with lingering dried fruit and a faint curl of smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat separates this from a standard Mars single malt is the pedigree of the second half. This is not a finishing gimmick but a genuine cross-distillery blend of two acclaimed makers, planned years in advance and bottled as a one-time 2021 edition rather than an ongoing line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe neat in a Glencairn; at 54% a few drops of water open the sherry and honey without dulling the spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is this whisky?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 2021 cask-strength blended malt marrying Mars Komagatake and Chichibu's Ichiro's Malt from two of Japan's leading distilleries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the specs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e54% ABV, 700 mL, just over 50% Mars distillate with Chichibu malt, matured in ex-bourbon, sherry and American white oak; roughly 1,170 bottles for the US.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does it taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHoney, apricot and orange on the nose; baked apple, cinnamon and toasted oak on the palate; a long, oak-and-dried-fruit finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow should you enjoy it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNeat in a Glencairn, with an optional drop of water to open the sherried notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is this release notable?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a rare one-time collaboration between Mars and Chichibu, planned from 2015 and limited to about 1,170 US bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"MARS","offers":[{"title":"700mL","offer_id":50102493446392,"sku":"19237","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0352\/3140\/0072\/files\/mars-komagatake-x-chichibu-malt-duo-single-malt-whiskey-700ml-keg-n-bottle-3238059.png?v=1784848747","url":"https:\/\/thebourboncentral.com\/products\/mars-komagatake-x-chichibu-malt-duo-single-malt-whiskey-700ml","provider":"Bourbon Central","version":"1.0","type":"link"}