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Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbon and Single Malt Japanese Whiskey
Company: Lofted Spirits
Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies), Mars Komagatake Distillery, and Mars Tsunuki Distillery
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Proof: 109.8
Age: Blend of 10 and 16 year old bourbons and two 5 year old Japanese single malts aged in barrels for an additional 1 year
Mashbill: Blend of 4 whiskeys:
Color: Honey
MSRP: $100 / 375mL (2026)
Caramel roasted malt | Toasted almond | Stone fruits | Hint of cherry | Baking spices
Vanilla custard | Caramel | Dried apricot | Plum | Candied raisin | Toasted oak | Graham cracker | Perfectly balanced
Nutty undertone | Black raspberry | Toasted oak | Caramel | Baking spices | Long
Bardstown Bourbon Company's latest Distillery Reserve is a bourbon-forward blend with just enough Japanese single malt influence to make it genuinely special.
Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend is the second 2026 release in the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Distillery Reserve line, following Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish, which was released in March. The line was launched last year with three releases: Cathedral French Oak, Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish, and Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish. Consistent with past releases, Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend is bottled in 375mL format, comes in unique packaging, and will be available exclusively at the distillery gift shop and Louisville tasting room. It is also available in the company’s The Reserve membership, which retails for $1,150 per year and includes all three 2026 Distillery Reserve bottles released during the year, plus invitations to member-only events at the distillery and other benefits.
Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend brings together two Kentucky straight bourbons, making up 77% of the blend, with two Japanese single malts originating from two distinct distilleries operated by the same company, which make up the remaining 23% of the blend. Mars Komagatake Distillery (formerly Shinshu Mars Distillery) was established in 1985 at an elevation of 798 meters in Mount Komagatake in the central Alps of Nagano Prefecture. This component was aged in Umeshu (plum liqueur) barrels and makes up 20% of the blend. The reamining 3% originates from Mars’ Tsunuki Distillery location and was aged in Sakura (cherry wood) barrels.
The resulting blend is an incredibly well-integrated whiskey that leans heavily towards its bourbon base with just the right amount of Japanese single malt influence. Caramel, vanilla custard, toasted oak and almond, graham cracker, and baking spices are complemented by splashes of Japanese single malt-influenced flavors. The accents are defined by caramel roasted malt, cherry, dried apricot, plum, candied raisin, and black raspberry. The flavors come together in near-perfect balance, most likely due in part to the additional year the blend spent aging in barrels. Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend continues Bardstown Bourbon Company’s track record of producing incredible whiskeys for its Distillery Reserve line.
