Mars Komagatake & Chichibu Malt Duo Blended Malt Whisky 700ml

In Scotland, trading casks between rival houses is ordinary business. In Japan, it essentially never happens — which is why whisky circles took notice in 2015 when Hombo Shuzo and Venture Whisky, makers of Ichiro's Malt, quietly swapped new-make spirit between Mars Shinshu and the famed Chichibu distillery. Malt Duo is the Mars side of that historic handshake.

The Chichibu spirit received in the exchange matured for more than five years in Mars warehouses in the Nagano mountains, absorbing an alpine climate its home distillery could never provide. It was then married with Komagatake single malt of similar age, so the blend carries the DNA of two of Japan's most respected craft producers in one glass.

Bottled in 2021 at 108 proof from a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry, and American white oak casks, the release was capped at 10,918 bottles worldwide. Its counterpart, blended at Chichibu, sold through almost instantly, and both halves of the project have become fixtures on Japanese whisky want-lists ever since.

The glass opens with ripe pear, cream soda, and toasted grain, moving into a palate of apricot, barley sugar, sherry-driven dried fruit, and cracked pepper. Oak spice and lingering orchard fruit close it out. A blended malt with genuine historical weight behind the label — and the depth to back it up.

• Size: 700ml
• Proof: 108 (54% ABV)
• Age: Components aged over 5 years
• Origin: Japan
• Producer: Mars Whisky (Hombo Shuzo), with Venture Whisky Chichibu malt
• Style: Blended malt Japanese whisky, limited release
• Composition: Komagatake single malt and Chichibu single malt, exchanged as new-make in 2015
• Cask/Aging: Ex-bourbon, sherry, and American white oak casks
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, cream soda, apricot, barley sugar, dried fruit, oak spice