Mars The Y.A.

Mars The Y.A. 2024 is a no age statement blended malt from Hombo Shuzo, vatted from spirit produced at Tsunuki in Kagoshima and Mars Shinshu in Nagano, and bottled at 51% cask strength for global distribution. Each annual Y.A. release captures the profile of Hombo Shuzo's maturing stocks in a given year, making the vintage year a meaningful reference rather than a simple age statement.

The maturation is in Ex-Bourbon casks at both distilleries. Tsunuki's warm and humid Kyushu climate accelerates the interaction between spirit and wood, contributing a rounded tropical warmth, while Mars Shinshu's high-altitude Central Alps setting produces a cleaner, more restrained character. Where specific tasting notes are not listed for this 2024 release, the typical Y.A. profile combines vanilla and woodspice from the Ex-Bourbon influence with the freshness and light fruit that mark the Hombo Shuzo house style at cask strength.