Mars Iwai Tradition Review

Mars is a name you don’t see as often as Suntory or Nikka, and it comes from a smaller distillery in the mountains of Nagano. Iwai is the name of the founder’s distilling engineer, Kiichiro Iwai, and the Tradition is the bottle that honours him. It’s a blended whisky at a fair price.

I picked it as a less obvious Japanese option.

What it is

Mars Whisky is made by Hombo Shuzo, a Japanese company that began as a shochu producer. The Shinshu distillery in Nagano is one of the highest distilleries in Japan. The Iwai Tradition is a blend of Japanese malt whisky and imported malt whisky, with grain whisky. It’s matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and bottled at 40%.

The Iwai range is named after Kiichiro Iwai, who learned whisky making in Scotland before the First World War and helped establish the Japanese whisky industry. The Tradition is a soft, easy blend, aimed at highballs and casual drinking.

In the glass

I tried it neat, over ice and in a highball. I expected something light and fruity, and I got that.

Nose: apple and vanilla, with honey and a hint of spice. It smells soft and sweet, like a fruit tart with a little cinnamon. Nothing sharp.

Palate: soft and fruity. Vanilla and apple come first, then a little spice and gentle oak. It’s very smooth, with a light body. It’s pleasant and easy, and not very deep.

Finish: short to medium, soft and slightly sweet. It fades gently. Ice worked well, and in a highball it was refreshing.

A second glass

I made a highball the next evening, and the fruit survived the soda nicely. It’s a good, easy highball whisky.

How I would drink it

In a highball or over ice. It’s smooth enough to sip, and it makes a good highball. I’d skip strong mixers.

Against the other Japanese whiskies

Compared with Suntory Kakubin, it’s fruitier and less smoky. Compared with Nikka Days, it’s lighter. Compared with Suntory Toki, it’s a bit rounder. It’s one of the friendliest Japanese blends.

Against Jameson, it’s lighter and fruitier. It’s smooth in a similar way. I’d say it’s a good alternative for a Jameson fan.

Value

I paid about $35 for a 750 ml bottle. For a Japanese blend, that’s good value.

Who it is for

It’s for people who want a soft, fruity Japanese blend for sipping and highballs. It’s a decent gift. If you want depth, spend more.

A less obvious choice

Most people reach for Suntory or Nikka when they think of Japanese whisky, and Mars is a quiet alternative. I liked that it felt like a discovery. It’s a soft, fruity, easy blend, and nobody has an opinion about it, which is a nice change.

As a highball

As a highball with soda and a lemon twist, it was very nice. The fruit and the light spice come through, and the drink was refreshing. It’s a good everyday highball whisky.

A second look

I tried it over a big ice cube the next evening, and it was pleasant. The cold calmed the sweetness, and the apple stood out. It’s an easy whisky on the rocks.

Pairing and serving

A plate of yakitori and a tall highball make a good partner, and the light, fruity whisky suits the grilled chicken. It’s a cheerful, easy combination.

If you’re making a highball, chill the glass, use plenty of ice and pour the soda gently. A slice of lemon adds a lovely lift.

What the price buys

At about $35 you get a soft, fruity Japanese whisky with a bit of character. It is not a bargain, but it is a fair price for something this easy to drink. It sits somewhere between a casual highball whisky and a gentle sipper, and it does both well.

Who should skip it

If you want a bold, complex Japanese malt, look somewhere else. Iwai Tradition is a quiet whisky, and it asks nothing of you. A drinker who loves peat or sherry will find it a bit shy.

Last word

Mars Iwai Tradition is a soft, fruity, inexpensive Japanese blend that makes a nice highball. I’d buy it again, and I’d choose Nikka Days if I wanted a bit more depth.

Verdict

Maybe. It’s soft and easy, and I’d choose Nikka Days for a bit more depth. I’d buy it for highballs.