Hombo Shuzo (Mars)
本坊酒造
Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd.
A Kagoshima based spirits company with roots dating to 1872, primarily known as a shochu producer. Hombo Shuzo operates two whisky distilleries: Mars Shinshu (Komagatake) in Nagano at 798 meters elevation (the highest distillery in Japan) and Mars Tsunuki in Kagoshima (their spiritual homeland, opened 2016). The Mars whisky brand has grown steadily in reputation, offering more approachable prices than Suntory or Nikka. Their annual limited edition Komagatake releases have developed a following among collectors. The brand occupies a middle ground between the major producers and the new wave craft distilleries.
Hombo Shuzo's whisky history stretches back to 1949 when they received a whisky production license, making them one of Japan's earliest whisky producers. The Mars Shinshu distillery in Nagano's Central Alps opened in 1985 but was mothballed in 1992 as Japanese whisky demand collapsed. It was revived in 2011 as the global Japanese whisky boom took hold. The high altitude location provides extreme temperature fluctuations that accelerate maturation, giving Mars whiskies a distinctive character. The opening of Mars Tsunuki distillery in 2016, located in Kagoshima's warmer climate, gave Hombo Shuzo two contrasting whisky making environments to work with, similar to Nikka's Yoichi/Miyagikyo approach. The tropical aging at Tsunuki produces fuller, more sherried character compared to Shinshu's alpine precision. Mars Komagatake limited editions have become increasingly competitive in quality, and the brand's honest pricing (compared to the Suntory and Nikka premium) earns appreciation from value conscious enthusiasts. The Cosmo blended malt series, combining malt from both distilleries, showcases their blending ambitions.
Whiskies by Hombo Shuzo (Mars)
Mars Komagatake Limited Edition 2023
48% ABV
Mars Tsunuki Peated
50% ABV
Mars Single Malt Tsunuki 2024 Edition
50% ABV
Iwai Tradition
40% ABV
Mars Maltage Cosmo
43% ABV
Mars Tsunuki The First
59% ABV
Mars Komagatake
48% ABV
Iwai 45
45% ABV
Mars Maltage 3+25
46% ABV · 28 yrs
Mars Iwai Japanese Whisky
Mars The Ya Bakemono Zukushi Emaki Domo Komo Double Cask Blended Malt Whisky
Mars Iwai 45 Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Tsunuki Bakemono Zukushi Emaki Minokedachi Single Cask Japanese Whisky
Mars Komagatake Single Cask Japanese Whisky
Mars The Lucky Cat Hana Choco Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition Haru Edition Sakura Cask Blended Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition Sherry Cask Finish Blended Whisky
Mars Maltage Cosmo Manzanilla Cask Finish Blended Malt Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition Natsu Edition Umeshu Cask Blended Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Iwai Bourbon Barrel Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition Blue Label Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Asagi Madara 8 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition Aki Edition Napa Wine Casks Blended Whisky
Mars The Lucky Cat Double Individuals May Luna Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Tsunuki Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Mars The Ya Blended Malt Japanese Whisky
Mars Iwai Tradition White Label Single Malt Whiskey
Mars The Lucky Cat May Blended Japanese Whisky
Mars Komagatake Tsunuki Aging Single Malt Whisky
Mars Komagatake Shinshu Aging The Netherlands Single Cask Japanese Whisky
Mars Komagatake Kohiganzakura Nature Of Shinshu Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Mars Komagatake Ipa Cask Finish Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Mars Komagatake Chichibu Malt Duo Blended Malt Whisky
Mars Komagatake Double Cellars Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Mars Komagatake Yakushima Aging Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Mars Kasei Blended Whisky
Mars Phoenix And The Sun Fukuoka Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky
Hombo Mars Moshi-Moshi
Hombo Mars The YA #02
Komagatake 27 Years Single Malt
Maltage Komagatake 10 Year Old
Mars "Kura" Whisky
Mars 8 Year Old Whisky Ceramic Bottle
Mars Blended "Red Turtle" Limited Edition
Mars Blended Whisky Extra
Mars Burn the Barrel 2nd Edition
Mars Cask Strength 13 Year Old Whisky
Mars Dake Kanba Blended Malt Whisky
Mars Finest Special Old Whisky
Mars Malt Gallery Single Malt Whisky 1985
Mars Malt Gallery Single Malt Whisky 2022
Mars Malt Le Papillon 2012 Single Cask
Mars Maltage 12 Year Old Whisky
Mars Maltage 20 Years Old Vintage Satsuma 1984
Mars Maltage 28 Year Old Pure Malt
Mars Rare Old Blended Whisky
Mars Shiki Yama Sauvignon Cask Finish
Mars Shinshu Distillery Single Malt Whisky
Mars Single Cask Kansyou-Issiki 20 Year Old Final Product
Mars Single Cask Whisky 1990
Mars Single Malt 10 Year Old Sherry #606
Mars Single Malt 10 Years American White Oak #615
Mars Single Malt 12 Year Old American White Oak #1143
Mars Single Malt 12 Year Old Sherry
Mars Single Malt Fukuoka 2016 Whisky Talk
Mars Single Malt Single Cask 393 Whisky
Mars Single Malt Whisky Aged 8 Years American White Oak #1147
Mars Whisky Amber 26 Whisky
Mars Whisky Amber Blended Whisky
Mars Whisky Iida Milling Festival Whisky
Mars Whisky Maltage Fine Malt 8 Year Old Whisky
Mars Whisky Shinsyu No Tabi - Zenkoji Temple Label
Mars Whisky Three and Seven
Mars Whisky Tsunagu
Mars Whisky X Lamigo "Monkey King"
Saigo Don Blended Mars Whisky
