Tsunuki 2017 Spirit Whisky

Tsunuki Distillery, officially Mars Tsunuki Distillery, represents the southernmost whisky production site in Japan, owned by Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd. Established in 2016 in Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture on the Satsuma Peninsula, it serves as the company's second whisky facility following Mars Shinshu Distillery. Situated at approximately 100 meters elevation in the mountainous southwestern region of Kyushu, the distillery is flanked by Kurata Mountain to the east and Hase Mountain to the west. This unique location provides a subtropical climate with dramatic daily temperature variations and exceptional mineral-rich groundwater filtered through the volcanic Ōsumi mountain range. The distillery operates two copper pot stills and employs extended fermentation periods of up to 72 hours using both peated and unpeated malt. The warm, humid environment results in an angel's share of 5-7% annually—significantly higher than Scottish counterparts—accelerating maturation and concentrating flavors. Building upon Hombo Shuzo's 150-year legacy in shochu production since 1872, Tsunuki applies century-old fermentation and distillation techniques to create distinctive single malt whiskies. The portfolio features Tsunuki The First, Tsunuki Peated, and seasonal limited editions, all characterized by rich, robust flavor profiles with tropical fruit notes and pronounced umami depth, influenced by Kyushu's warm terroir and rapid maturation cycles. The brand operates under Hombo Shuzo's broader spirits portfolio, which includes the renowned MARS whisky range.