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.
English sparkling wine has come of age. Popping corks to celebrate two decades of production, Gusbourne recently held a unique tasting of 13 vintages from the last 20 years, including an extremely rare sampling of its 2006 bottling. The idea behind the retrospective was to examine the evolution of its sparkling wines, vineyards, and winemaking…
Monkey 47 has revealed oyster mushroom as the unusual 48th botanical in its latest limited-release Distiller’s Cut gin, bringing savoury umami notes to its traditional Black Forest spirit. Now in its 16th year, the annual Distiller’s Cut sees Monkey 47 search for a Species Rara: an exceptional ingredient that adds a new dimension to its…
The Borders Distillery in Hawick has unveiled its first single malt, marking the return of whisky production to the Scottish Borders for the first time since 1837. Limited to 10,000 bottles, the eight-year-old inaugural release has been matured in first-fill bourbon casks and finished in Malmsey Madeira casks. For managing director Giancarlo Bianchi, this debutant…
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.
Beyond Champagne: Why Gusbourne Is leading England’s sparkling wine revolution
English sparkling wine has come of age. Popping corks to celebrate two decades of production, Gusbourne recently held a unique tasting of 13 vintages from the last 20 years, including an extremely rare sampling of its 2006 bottling. The idea behind the retrospective was to examine the evolution of its sparkling wines, vineyards, and winemaking…
Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2026 adds oyster mushroom to gin recipe for savoury umami twist
Monkey 47 has revealed oyster mushroom as the unusual 48th botanical in its latest limited-release Distiller’s Cut gin, bringing savoury umami notes to its traditional Black Forest spirit. Now in its 16th year, the annual Distiller’s Cut sees Monkey 47 search for a Species Rara: an exceptional ingredient that adds a new dimension to its…
The Borders Distillery Eight Year Old inaugural whisky builds on cashmere and tweed heritage
The Borders Distillery in Hawick has unveiled its first single malt, marking the return of whisky production to the Scottish Borders for the first time since 1837. Limited to 10,000 bottles, the eight-year-old inaugural release has been matured in first-fill bourbon casks and finished in Malmsey Madeira casks. For managing director Giancarlo Bianchi, this debutant…
Share this: