Mars Tsunuki 2020 (LMDW)

Distilled at Tsunuki in 2020 and bottled in 2024 at 4 Years Old, this is a single cask single malt selected by La Maison du Whisky for the French market at cask strength. Tsunuki is Hombo Shuzo's Kagoshima distillery on the southern tip of Kyushu, where the subtropical warmth and high humidity accelerate the interaction between spirit and wood, making virgin oak maturation particularly intense even at short ages.

The cask here is Spanish virgin oak, an uncommon choice within the Tsunuki programme. Virgin oak has never held a previous spirit, so it delivers a full and often assertive tannin structure alongside rich vanilla and toasted wood. Spanish oak adds additional spice notes and a slightly different tannin profile compared to American virgin oak. At just 4 Years Old in Kagoshima's climate, the wood imprint will be bold and structured. At 60.3% cask strength, this is a powerful and oak-driven expression, suited to those who appreciate direct wood character alongside the distillery's tropical and citric base.