(Image Source: Tsunuki)

What you need to know:

• Mars' Tsunuki Distillery has released a new single malt to support Japan's Furusato Nozei Hometown Tax Program, named Minami-Satsuma Art Collection #01.
• The expression is a 3 year old ex-Sherry cask aged Japanese single malt distilled at the Tsunuki Distillery, and bottled at 52% ABV. 
• It can be purchased only at part of the Furusato Nozei program which aims to allow citizens to support rural prefectures in Japan by purchasing craft goods and produce.
• The expression carries the artwork "Tsunuki in Late Autumn" by local artist Takaaki Kubo, with the Tsunuki Art Collection Series focusing on art along the theme of Minami-Satsuma, the city in which Mars is based in.

Whisky and art are a perennial combination that the scene can't get away from and more importantly, can't get enough of.

To close out the year, Mars' Kagoshima-based Tsunuki Distillery is making its break into the arts scene with its very own "Minami-Satsuma Art Collection #01 Japanese single malt.

This single malt has a pretty unique backstory that will pique whisky fans outside of Japan - it is released as part of Japan's Furusato Nozei tax program. It is sold as part of Japanese citizens opting in to pay an optional hometown tax. If only we all got a whisky for paying our taxes!

(Image Source: Tsunuki)

What Is Furusato Nozei?

The Furusato Nozei is Japan's Hometown Tax Program that was first unveiled in 2007. The idea behind it is that as Japan faces an increasing trend of citizens heading to cities to work and live, they no longer pay taxes to their rural hometowns. The country thus wants to encourage citizens to help support the rural prefectures of Japan.  

This comes in the form of an optional tax program where citizens can "donate" to jurisdictions of their choosing by purchasing craft and artisanal goods that qualify for the program. This ranges from meats, cheese, pottery and of course, whisky. In turn, taxpayers are not only able to support producers in Japan, but are also able to get their hands on craft goods and also a small tax deduction.

(Image Source: Tsunuki)

The Minami-Satsuma Art Collection #01

This year, in support of the program, Mars' Tsunuki has launched its debut expression as part of the Minami-Satsuma Art Collection.

The single malt whisky is a vatting of mainly ex-Sherry barrel aged malt whisky distilled at Tsunuki Distillery and aged for over 3 years. It is bottled at 52% ABV and carries with it a gorgeous label featuring art works by artists from Minami-Satsuma City, where Mars is based. The artworks focus on the theme of Minami-Satsuma City.

(Image Source: Tsunuki)

The inaugural expression's artwork is titled "Tsunuki in Late Autumn" by artist, Takaaki Kubo.

It is priced at 35,000 Yen or US$254.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial