Whisky: Mars Malt Duo "Komagatake x Chichibu"

Country/Region: Japan/Blended Malt

ABV: 54%

Cask: Oak

Age: N/A (Bottled 2021)

Nose: Fruit candies, bubble gum, saltwater taffy, old wooden boardwalks, wispy smoke, subtle brine and grassy-herbal smoked tea; slightly medicinal at times.

Palate: Medium-bodied with citrus, tobacco, peppery spirit, fruit candies, minerals, soft brine, malty pastries, wood, and dried grass.

Finish: Medium to long with citrus rinds, salt, and peppery spirit.

Score: 7 (84)

Mental Image: Beginning of a Boardwalk Mystery

Narrative & Notes: Popping into a coastal candy shop and perusing lemon, lime, orange, and bubble gum flavored saltwater taffies. The fruits faded over time, as if stepping outside, replaced by more worn wooden boardwalks and wispy smoke with hints of saltwater and smoked tea leaves.  A touch of medicinal herbs and dried grass lingered in the background, combining with the fruiy candies to occasionally deliver a hit of your dentist’s special vintage flavored fluoride wash. Medium-bodied with a bright citrus, wispy tobacco smoke, and gentle peppery spice. Citrusy candies, pastries, and subtle brine opened to a touch of chalk and minerals alongside a briny coastal boardwalk.  Wood, hessian or burlap, and dried grass carried on to wispy tobacco smoke— an old seaman hanging out by the pier whose peppery personality lingered on the finish.  Medium to long finish with mellow citrus rinds, a kiss of salt, and pepper.

No big surprise here. There were a lot of similar elements between this bottle and the release from Chichibu.  This was equally as harmonious, but if I pick up the dancing metaphor from the last review, in this instance, the Mars malt took the lead and directed the movement of the dance. I found this richer than the other release, with crisper notes and less austere fruit and wood notes toward the end. I am still not enamored with the saltwater taffy and bubblegum notes, which stood out more here with the Mars seemingly taking the lead, but it was otherwise lovely.

Overall, this was my favorite of the two collaboration releases.