Episode 585: April 17, 2016

Japan’s Hombo Shuzo has been making whiskies off and on since 1949, and the company’s whisky heritage claims a critical link to Masataka Taketsuru, the “father of Japanese whisky.” Now, Hombo Shuzo’s Mars whiskies are back for good, and the company is beginning construction of a new distillery on the site of its original Kagoshima distillery on the southern tip of Japan while producing whisky full-time at its Shinshu distillery near Nagano. Mars whiskies are now starting to reach the US market, and will be available soon in Europe … we’ll discuss these developments with Hombo Shuzo’s Saki Umemara and Eric Swanson of Tokiwa Imports on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth.

In the news, Kentucky’s governor has signed a new law that loosens up some of the limits on the state’s distillery visitor centers, Diageo is releasing several new North American whiskies, and there’s no Canadian content in a Canadian celebrity’s new whisky! We’ll also share a special moment with you as a new Keeper of the Quaich finds out about his nomination!

Links: Mars Whisky | Tokiwa Imports | Kentucky Distillers Association | Bulleit Bourbon | Crown Royal | Diageo | Just-Drinks.com | The Globe & Mail | Brown-Forman | Kilchoman | ImPex Beverages | That Boutique-y Whisky Company | Keepers of the Quaich