Mars Komagatake Limited Edition, b.2019, 48% abv.

Says it was distilled in Miyada, Nagano? Drank in 2020.

Nose: a good amount of apple cider, freshly cut apples, light fruit, nice young white wine like a light sauterness, a light floral-ness is acting like the matrix, hints of citrus.

Palate: light to medium body, balanced, initial palate is a slightly sour apple juice, some fruit oils, wood polish, mid palate shows slightly more flavor as it gets more sour but also more cognac-like with fruit oils, raisins, honey, dried berries, dried apples, pears, some dried citrus, unseasoned macadamia nuts, sweetened grapefruit rind, honeyed melon rinds, definitely a light cognac, back palate shows hints of burnt food residue, burnt malt, but equally cognac-like as the mid palate, chalk, non-chocolate Mrs. Fields cookies. Retroactive olfaction is burnt malt, chocolate, burnt bread.

Finish: short, a light cognac finish, bitter honey dew, dried fruits, thick brandy residue,

Now I know why this is still famous. This one tastes very close to a nice cognac, full of fruity oils, dehydrated fruits, and light wine. Extremely flavorful in all phases and doesn't let up with time. Compared to Paul Giraud Grande Champagne and Camus XO. Drank after the Mars Cosmo manzanilla finish. The finish on the Cosmo manzanilla is better, but this 2019 is overall superior.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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