Mars Komagatake Single Malt Limited Edition 2020

My first Mars Japanese whisky is this lovely "Komagatake", which translates into "Horse Mountain". This is a 2020 limited edition, which has received very good critics and scores. I managed to get a sample, lets see how was it. Dark gold color, botted at 50%abv. On the nose, it is a little hard to define. The first aroma is like a peach syrup, with a thick caramel mixed with some hay/dry brown grass note. Definitively sweet, mostly syrupy. Honey. Cough remedy. Some pepper spice. I have to do a lot of work here to identify the aromas, it feels like eveything is stacked in disorder. Recently baked brownies. The most syrupy whisky aroma ever; very thick. A very clean orange note has appeared after 5 minutes. After a first sip the brownie aroma has exploded, it is amazing. On the palate, it is not very complex, but very enjoyable. Dry peaches, honey, cough syrup. Peach peel. A second sip was much more sugary. Aftertaste was all about tobacco, salty and peppery finish. Definitively grassy, hints of chocolate and malted barley. Overall, this is a solid, fancy dram. Not overly complex but fairly enjoyable. I don't think it is changing anyone's life forever, but if you can find it, grab a glass of it. Interesting stuff, my score for it is 88 over 100.

Buttery, slight pitted fruit flavor, Carmel flavors. Good but not up to the hype.

Very unique, very sweet and fruity. nose is heavy on prunes and fruits and finish is bitter like cocoa. Goes down very easy for a 100 proof but a bit expensive…

The 2019 Limited Edition (not 2020) instantly reminded me of both Compass Box Juevenilles and Springbank Green. Young, bright, citrussy, with lots of green apple and subtle sweeter fruit notes. Didn't get the cocoa and prune as much. But did get some Japanese soft malt "rounding" notes that put this over the top. A lovely whiskey.. The 2020 was, IMO, not nearly as satisfying as the 2019. Big change in profile with a lot of the bright citrus notes hammered over with wood. 2019 over 2020 all day every day.

Complex. Oily. Evolving. Expensive.