Iwai Tradition Whisky "Aki" Finished in Napa Wine Casks

Limited release blended Japanese whisky from Mars Shinshu in Nagano, finished for 9 months in Cabernet Sauvignon casks sourced from a Napa Valley winery. With a mash bill of 70% malted barley and 30% corn, it is aged between 2–5 years in ex-bourbon, sherry, and American oak casks before finishing. It has aromas of dried cherry and flavors of lightly toasted black pepper and vanilla bean. The Napa Cabernet casks leave a nice jammy red fruit on the finish. Only 1200 bottles produced. This fall-inspired edition of Mars Shinshu’s flagship blended whisky is currently the only wine cask finish release from Mars to feature American casks, lending the whisky a ripe fruit sweetness and deeper hue than counterparts finished in Japanese or French wine casks.