Last Updated: 10/23/2020
Mars Iwai Tradition is one of the best values in the Japanese whisky market.
In this post, we’ll discuss why this is the case, offer price comparisons to help you get the best deal, and discuss tasting notes, food pairing recommendations, and serving suggestions.
Overview of Mars Iwai Tradition
Mars Iwai Tradition is a malt-dominant blended whisky from the Mars (マルス) Whisky brand. It takes the mash bill of the standard Iwai (岩井) Blended and flips it to 75% malted barley and 25% corn. A touch of the malt is peated. Aging of this NAS whisky occurs in ex-Bourbon, Sherry, and wine casks.
Mars Iwai Tradition Price and Buyer’s Guide
Considering this level of complexity, Mars Iwai Tradition is actually available for a surprisingly low price. That’s rare in the Japanese whisky category. It can be found for as little as $35. It’s hard to think of any authentic* Japanese whisky that can compete with that price, actually. Maybe Suntory Toki.
Like most Japanese whiskies: beware the unscrupulous retailer.
*Distilled and aged in Japan and containing malted barley (i.e.: not barrel-aged shochu)
Compare and Shop Mars Iwai Tradition
If you want a bottle of Mars Tradition tonight, check out these sponsored retailers below. Prices and availability will vary by location. We may earn a commission for qualifying purchases.
Tasting Notes for Iwai Tradition
In the glass, Mars Iwai Tradition has a bronze color and a moderate aromatic intensity. It’s also slightly drier than the regular Iwai with a faint whiff of herbal smoke. Notes include: honeyed malt, prunes, red raisin, banana, orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla, toffee, and burnt brown sugar. Overall, Mars Iwai Tradition is a fairly serious blended Japanese whisky.
Mars Iwai Tradition Service and Pairing
Iwai Tradition is flexible in service. It can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own from neat to rocks. It also makes for a fine mixer in a cocktail. It shines in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Iwai Tradition is also a fine choice for a Japanese whisky highball, as it has enough robust malt to shine through all the neutral soda. Lastly, a whisky sour is bright and refreshing cocktail that plays well with Mars Iwai Tradition.
Chocolates and cheese are good starting points for pairing with Mars Iwai Tradition. Salted pecans, or nuts in general, also make a good accompaniment. Vanilla-based pastries and ice cream too.
Recommended Whisky Products
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Technical Notes For Mars Iwai Tradition Whisky
Distilled at the Shinshu Distillery in Nagano
Whisky Type: Blended Whisky (ブレンドウイスキー)
Mash Bill: 75% malted barley, 25% corn
Stills: Copper Pot Still; wash and spirit
Barrels: ex-Bourbon, Sherry, and wine casks
Age: NAS Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
About Hombo Shuzo and Mars Whisky
Founded: 1872 Mars Shinshu Location: Miyada Village, Nagano Prefecture
Website: 日本語 Tokiwa Imports
Hombo Shuzo (本坊酒造) is based out of Kagoshima and produces Mars Whisky. Additionally, they produce a variety of other other beverages: sweet potato and barley shochu, umeshu, and wine. The “Father of Japanese Whisky”, Masataka Taketsuru, helped Hombo Shuzo build their 2 copper pot stills according to his specifications. Taketsuru-san was instrumental in the creation of Suntory’s Yamazaki, and shortly after founded Nikka.
They built the Mars Shinshu Distillery (信州蒸溜所) under the shadow of Mount Komagatake in 1984. While the Mars Whisky brand is the big-name outside of Japan, Hombo Shuzo started out as a Satsuma shochu producer. To this day it remains a big focus of the company. Their Tsuniki Distillery (津貫蒸溜所) is still in service for this and may be used for producing Mars Whisky again in the future.
Raise Your Japanese Whisky IQ with Our Complete Guide
Follow the Japanese Bar on Social Media
Connect with our latest posts, the newest Japanese beverage info, and get exclusive promotional offers. Level-up your Japanese whisky IQ!