Mars Tsunuki is one of those bottles that reminds you Japanese whisky is still very much finding its feet — and that's not a criticism. The Tsunuki distillery, nestled in Kagoshima Prefecture at the southern tip of Kyushu, is among the newer entrants in Japan's single malt landscape, and this 2022 Edition represents a snapshot of a distillery in its formative years. At 50% ABV and carrying no age statement, it asks you to judge it on character rather than pedigree. I'm happy to do exactly that.
What strikes me first about the Mars Tsunuki 2022 Edition is the confidence of its bottling strength. Fifty percent is a deliberate choice — it signals that the distillery wants you to experience this whisky with its edges intact, without the softening that lower proofing brings. For a relatively young operation producing NAS releases, that takes conviction. It suggests the liquid has enough body and structure to carry that strength, and in my experience with this bottle, it does.
Style & Character
Japanese single malts occupy a fascinating space in the whisky world. The best of them balance precision with subtlety, and the Mars Tsunuki 2022 Edition leans into that tradition while clearly charting its own course. As a southern Japanese distillery, the warmer climate at Tsunuki accelerates maturation compared to, say, a Highland Scottish site, which means NAS releases from this region can carry more wood influence than you might expect. This is a whisky that rewards patience — give it time in the glass and it opens up considerably from where it starts.
At £132, you're paying a premium that reflects both the current demand for authentic Japanese single malt and the relatively limited output of the Tsunuki operation. Is it expensive? For what it is — a non-age-stated release — yes, it sits at the upper end. But context matters. Genuine Japanese single malt, produced and matured in Japan, commands these prices in today's market, and the 50% ABV means you're getting more intensity per pour than a standard 43% bottling.
The Verdict
I've scored the Mars Tsunuki 2022 Edition at 7.7 out of 10, and I want to be clear about why. This is a genuinely enjoyable whisky that delivers on its promise of full-strength Japanese single malt character. It's well-constructed, it holds together at its bottling strength without becoming aggressive, and it has enough personality to make each glass worth your attention. Where it loses marks is on the value proposition — at £132 for an NAS release, it needs to compete with age-stated bottles from established producers, and that's a tough neighbourhood. But if your interest is in exploring the breadth of what Japanese whisky has to offer beyond the usual Yamazaki and Hakushu conversation, Mars Tsunuki is a distillery worth knowing, and this 2022 Edition is a worthy introduction.
Best Served
I'd recommend this one neat at room temperature first — at 50% ABV, it has the structure to stand on its own, and you'll want to appreciate the full intensity of the spirit before you start adjusting. After your first few sips, add a small splash of still water, no more than a teaspoon. This will open the whisky without diluting that careful bottling strength into something it wasn't meant to be. If you're feeling adventurous, the Mars Tsunuki also works beautifully in a Japanese-style Highball — good ice, cold soda, a 1:3 ratio — where that 50% ABV ensures the whisky's character cuts through the dilution. But start neat. Always start neat.
