Nestled in the quiet town of Tsunuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, Mars Tsunuki Distillery is the southernmost whisky distillery in Japan. It was established in 2016 by Hombo Shuzo, the company behind Mars Whisky, as part of its renewed commitment to producing high-quality Japanese single malt. While the Mars Shinshu Distillery in Nagano is already well known, Tsunuki gives Mars an entirely different climate and environment to explore, offering unique diversity to the brand’s portfolio.
The region of Tsunuki has deep historical ties to spirits production—Hombo Shuzo has been making shochu here since 1909. Building a whisky distillery on this site was a natural extension of that heritage. The location benefits from a warm climate influenced by Kagoshima’s subtropical weather, with high humidity and significant temperature swings between day and night. These conditions encourage faster, more dynamic maturation than in colder regions like Shinshu, resulting in whiskies with bold, expressive character.
Mars Tsunuki operates with traditional copper pot stills and a hands-on production approach. The water source, drawn from the nearby Mt. Kurata mountains is exceptionally pure and mineral-rich, contributing to the whisky’s clean yet robust profile. Early releases from Tsunuki have showcased flavors of ripe tropical fruits, honeyed malt, and gentle spice, balanced by a warm, rounded texture.
Though young, the distillery has already drawn international attention. Limited-edition bottlings, such as the Tsunuki The First and Tsunuki Peated, have demonstrated impressive depth and promise, hinting at the distillery’s long-term potential. Together with Shinshu, Tsunuki allows Mars Whisky to experiment across two contrasting climates—cold alpine and warm southern—creating a uniquely Japanese dual-terroir approach to maturation.
With its blend of tradition, innovation, and regional character, Mars Tsunuki Distillery has quickly become one of the most exciting names in Japan’s new wave of whisky producers.
