Yakushima is a fabled island off the southern coast of Japan, it's a world natural heritage site - a forested and hilly island located about 60km south-southwest of mainland Kagoshima. What is special about this island is that it enjoys a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers, and is generally rain-soaked all year round.

Most intrepid visitors have called the island a world of its own and while pictures convey a hint of how unique the island is, actually stepping food into the sub-tropical island is a whole other experience.

In March, we had finally planned a trip to the fabled island to hike its terrain, but since we were there, we had to grab at the opportunity to visit Mars' Yakushima Ageing Cellar.

Mars has amped up its versatility in recents years that has quickly propelled it to become on the hottest Japanese whisky brands to watch out for - 2 Distilleries (Shinshu and Tsunuki) and 3 Maturation Climates (Shinshu - Cold, Tsunuki - Warm, Yakushima - Subtropical) makes for a whole lot of exciting combinations.

Beyond the mindboggling combinations, Mars has also sought to allow fans to isolate and appreciate how each distillery and climate can influence the whisky.

This has led Mars to create The Y.A. line which stands for Yakushima Aging, and explores the UNESCO Heritage Site that is the humid subtropical climate of Yakushima island, which is why Mars has placed an Aging Cellar on the island.

We got to try the Y.A #1 at the inn we stayed over on the island.

Yakushima is a forested and hilly island located about 60km south-southwest of mainland Kagoshima. It experiences mild winters and hot summers, and is generally rain-soaked all year round.

This would appear to intensify the cask interaction with the whisky, while allowing it to mature for longer periods of time, creating a more intensely flavored whisky. This has also been said to give the whiskies a more unique maritime, sea salt note.

Mars Isn't Just All Whisky, They Make Some Special Shochu Too!

Let's See Some Sleeping Whisky Casks!

It's All About A Variety Of Ageing Climates 

Of course, we had to hit up the gift shop!

Bringing Home Some Yakushima Goodies!

@milotin88

Don't ration passion