Mars Cosmo Manzanilla Cask Finish World Blended Malt Whisky

Oscar Delgado — Lovely sherry-adjacent sipper

8/10

The manzanilla cask finish gives this a really interesting saline, nutty quality that I wasn't expecting from a Japanese-origin blend. Dried apricot and a hint of olive brine on the nose. At 42% it's gentle enough to sip neat after dinner — I've been reaching for it all week.

Clara Johansson — Lovely sherry-adjacent sipper

8/10

The manzanilla cask finish gives this a really interesting saline, nutty quality that I wasn't expecting from a Japanese-origin blend. Dried apricot and a hint of olive brine on the nose. At 42% it's gentle enough to sip neat after dinner — I've been reaching for it all week.

Olivia Park — Interesting but pricey for what it is

7/10

I picked this up curious about the manzanilla finish and it delivers on that front — there's a definite briny, fino-like dryness layered over malty sweetness. But at over £90 for a 42% NAS blend, I expected a bit more depth on the palate. It finishes a touch short for me. Still a nice dram, just not sure I'd rebuy at this price.

Luna Chavez — Interesting but pricey for what it is

7/10

I picked this up curious about the manzanilla finish and it delivers on that front — there's a definite briny, fino-like dryness layered over malty sweetness. But at over £90 for a 42% NAS blend, I expected a bit more depth on the palate. It finishes a touch short for me. Still a nice dram, just not sure I'd rebuy at this price.

Natasha Volkov — Not quite my thing

6/10

Wanted to love this one since I'm a big fan of sherry-influenced whiskies, but the manzanilla finish here leans more savoury than sweet and it threw me off a bit. There's some nice honeyed malt underneath but it fights with the brine notes. I ended up preferring it on a single ice cube which tamed the saltiness. Decent whisky, just not what I was hoping for at the £91 mark.

Tyler Bennet — Not quite my thing

6/10

Wanted to love this one since I'm a big fan of sherry-influenced whiskies, but the manzanilla finish here leans more savoury than sweet and it threw me off a bit. There's some nice honeyed malt underneath but it fights with the brine notes. I ended up preferring it on a single ice cube which tamed the saltiness. Decent whisky, just not what I was hoping for at the £91 mark.

Priya Sharma — Mars keeps surprising me

8/10

I've been exploring the Mars range and this might be my favourite so far. The manzanilla cask adds this gorgeous dry, almost coastal character — sea salt, green apple, toasted almonds. Poured it neat for a few friends and everyone wanted to know what it was. Really well-balanced world blend.

Gianluca Ferro — Mars keeps surprising me

8/10

I've been exploring the Mars range and this might be my favourite so far. The manzanilla cask adds this gorgeous dry, almost coastal character — sea salt, green apple, toasted almonds. Poured it neat for a few friends and everyone wanted to know what it was. Really well-balanced world blend.