Two new exclusive bottlings have been released by The Whisky Exchange, offering dram-fans a chance to explore contrasting whisky styles from Ireland and Japan – one is a 20-year-old Redbreast, matured in Oloroso sherry casks, the other a single-cask Mars Komagatake, the latest entries in its Sumo Series.
The Redbreast offers mature pot still character, shaped by restrained Oloroso influence and presented at natural strength. The Mars Komagatake delivers the focused fruit and polish that has made Japanese single malt a category of increasing interest.
The Mars Komagatake delivers the focused fruit and polish that have made Japanese single malt a category of ongoing interest…
Matured in third-fill Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at a robust 60% ABV, this single pot still offering promises depth without sacrificing elegance. At 20 years old, and drawn from third-fill casks, the sherry influence is said to be measured rather than overpowering.
On the nose, expect bright orange peel, star fruit and lemon zest, with notes of incense, Turkish delight and fig jam.
On the palate, dark and milk chocolate lead into dense orchard fruit: apples, mango, lime and nectarine, with stewed pear adding softness. Warming spice and fragrant oak move through the centre, joined by cherry jam and raisins. Beneath it all runs a thread of dark chocolate poured over ginger cake.
From Japan’s Central Alps comes the second exclusive, a single-cask release from Mars Komagatake Distillery. Distilled in 2017 and matured for seven years in a bourbon cask, this whisky forms the fifth instalment in the label’s Sumo Series.
Only 168 bottles have been produced. The whisky was aged in Mars’ Yakushima ageing cellar, located on the island of Yakushima off Japan’s southern coast, a maritime environment said to subtly shape maturation.
Bottled at 57% ABV, the profile leans into tropical fruit, vanilla and soft spice.
The Sumo Series itself takes inspiration from Japan’s national sport, with each bottling referencing one of the 82 official kimarite winning techniques. Series #5 highlights Tsuki-dashi, a forceful pushing manoeuvre; the label features a modern illustration printed on traditional Japanese washi paper.
Midleton Distillery has confirmed the arrival of its Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage, the latest edition in an Irish whiskey series now into its 43rd annual incarnation, and the 6th Vintage under the careful watch of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman. Bottled at 40% ABV, the 2026 expression continues a tradition that sees the distillery’s Master…
Diplomático Rum, the Venezuelan super-premium spirits house, has announced the UK launch of Chancellor. Positioned as a flagship expression for connoisseurs and long-term collectors of rare spirits, fewer than 1,000 individually numbered bottles will be released worldwide. Diplomático Rum, founded in 1959, has built its reputation on blending expertise, heavy pot-still distillates and long-term maturation,…
There’s a new American malt whisky company in town, and it hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Virginia Distillery Company is making its UK debut with the release of eight American single malt whiskies. The family-owned producer is introducing both of its core whisky ranges simultaneously, giving UK drinkers a broad view of its…
The Luxe Review 
Two new exclusive bottlings have been released by The Whisky Exchange, offering dram-fans a chance to explore contrasting whisky styles from Ireland and Japan – one is a 20-year-old Redbreast, matured in Oloroso sherry casks, the other a single-cask Mars Komagatake, the latest entries in its Sumo Series.
The Redbreast offers mature pot still character, shaped by restrained Oloroso influence and presented at natural strength. The Mars Komagatake delivers the focused fruit and polish that has made Japanese single malt a category of increasing interest.
Redbreast 20 Year Old Small Batch Oloroso Cask, £275
Matured in third-fill Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at a robust 60% ABV, this single pot still offering promises depth without sacrificing elegance. At 20 years old, and drawn from third-fill casks, the sherry influence is said to be measured rather than overpowering.
On the nose, expect bright orange peel, star fruit and lemon zest, with notes of incense, Turkish delight and fig jam.
On the palate, dark and milk chocolate lead into dense orchard fruit: apples, mango, lime and nectarine, with stewed pear adding softness. Warming spice and fragrant oak move through the centre, joined by cherry jam and raisins. Beneath it all runs a thread of dark chocolate poured over ginger cake.
Mars Komagatake 2017/7 Year Old, Sumo Series #5, £225
From Japan’s Central Alps comes the second exclusive, a single-cask release from Mars Komagatake Distillery. Distilled in 2017 and matured for seven years in a bourbon cask, this whisky forms the fifth instalment in the label’s Sumo Series.
Only 168 bottles have been produced. The whisky was aged in Mars’ Yakushima ageing cellar, located on the island of Yakushima off Japan’s southern coast, a maritime environment said to subtly shape maturation.
Bottled at 57% ABV, the profile leans into tropical fruit, vanilla and soft spice.
The Sumo Series itself takes inspiration from Japan’s national sport, with each bottling referencing one of the 82 official kimarite winning techniques. Series #5 highlights Tsuki-dashi, a forceful pushing manoeuvre; the label features a modern illustration printed on traditional Japanese washi paper.
Redbreast 20 Year Old Small Batch Oloroso Cask is priced at £275. Mars Komagatake 2017/7 Year Old Sumo Series #5 is priced at £225. Both are available exclusively from The Whisky Exchange.
Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage Irish Whiskey has arrived, run don’t walk to secure yours
Midleton Distillery has confirmed the arrival of its Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage, the latest edition in an Irish whiskey series now into its 43rd annual incarnation, and the 6th Vintage under the careful watch of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman. Bottled at 40% ABV, the 2026 expression continues a tradition that sees the distillery’s Master…
Diplomático debuts ultra-rare triple-cask Chancellor rum with just 900 bottles worldwide
Diplomático Rum, the Venezuelan super-premium spirits house, has announced the UK launch of Chancellor. Positioned as a flagship expression for connoisseurs and long-term collectors of rare spirits, fewer than 1,000 individually numbered bottles will be released worldwide. Diplomático Rum, founded in 1959, has built its reputation on blending expertise, heavy pot-still distillates and long-term maturation,…
Virginia Distillery stages UK launch with eight strong American single malt whisky range
There’s a new American malt whisky company in town, and it hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Virginia Distillery Company is making its UK debut with the release of eight American single malt whiskies. The family-owned producer is introducing both of its core whisky ranges simultaneously, giving UK drinkers a broad view of its…
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