(Image Source: Mars)

Mars Malt Le Papillon is a single cask series by Japanese whiskymaker Mars, that seeks to express the four seasons of Japan's climate which in turn form the environment in which its whiskies mature. Mars pays tribute to the splendour of the natural environment through the motif of butterflies that are indigenous to Japan.

The latest edition of Mars' Malt Le Papillon features the C.brillantinus butterfly (or also known as Ainomidori Shijimi) which inhabits deciduous broad-leaved forests in the mountains. Mars selected a single cask of non-peated whisky aged in American White Oak casks previously having held Umeshu plum liqueur, distilled in 2015 at Mars' Shinshu Distillery, and bottled in 2022, at natural cask strength of 59% ABV, with a total outturn of 567 bottles, that will be sold via lottery on Mars' website.

Mars' Shinshu Distillery in the Nagano Alps. (Image Source: Quill and Pad)

"Ainomidorishijimi is a butterfly that belongs to the Zephyrus family, which is called the 'Jewel of the Forest'. It lives in tree canopies and is active only in the early morning, making it a difficult butterfly for young insects.

The first encounter was during the summer vacation in Shinshu with my grandmother when I was in elementary school. That day, I got up early in the morning to look for stag beetles that gather in tree sap. A nearby forest road is my regular expedition course. I found a small golden-green butterfly in the grassland beside the forest road that curves in a U shape.

The scenery that should have been familiar to me every day changed completely just by waking up a little early. Daily explorations have increased in depth, and "new encounters" have increased rapidly.

The lottery will be available until 10:00 am on 30 August, 2022 Japan Time.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot