Mars Whisky Single Cask ‘KOMAGATAKE BAKEMONO #09 – Odoroshi

• Limited edition single cask single malt Japanese whisky produced by Mars Whisky
• The 9th release in the Mars Bakemono series, which highlights illustrations from the famous Bakemono Zukushi Monster Scroll, an illustrated text (emaki) from Japans Edo Period (17th19th centuries) by an unknown artist featuring various ykai (magical creatures from Japanese folklore)
• Distilled at Mars Komagatake (fka Mars Shinshu) in Nagano and matured entirely at Mars Tsunuki in Kagoshima; Cask #T1710
• 100% malted barley peated to 20 ppm and twice distilled in copper pot stills; distilled in January 2020 and bottled in June 2025
• Aged 5 years and 5 months in an ex-sherry barrel
• Non-chill filtered; 59% ABV

Though Bakemono translates to the general idea of changing thing, the term is often directly associated with the more frightening spirits in Japanese folklore. Case in point, the monster paired with the ninth release in Mars Bakemono series, Odoroshia large creature covered in hair with a red face and black teeth. Thought to guard gates and holy places, they can often be spotted on rooftops, attacking human victims from above (however infrequently such attacks are thought to occur). Perhaps fittingly, this single ex-sherry cask whisky follows the same theme of elevation, beginning its life in the stills at Mars Komagatake, high in the Japanese Alps, before heading south to Kagoshima for aging at Mars Tsunuki. The reverse of the production and maturation approach taken with the 8th release in the Bakemono series, dedicated to Hajikaki, this change in aging environment and correlating increase in humidity has resulted in a whisky with a slightly lower ABV than that of its sister release. Combined with its sherry-cask influence, the resulting dram is round and rich, befitting an offering for an imposing ykai.