AS EARLY AS 2015, CHICHIBU DISTILLERY AND SHINSHU DISTILLERY (MARS) LAUNCHED A BASE LIQUOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN PURSUIT OF GREATER POSSIBILITIES IN TASTE. CHICHIBU HANDED OVER ITS BASE LIQUOR TO MARS FOR MATURATION AT THE SHINSHU DISTILLERY, AND MARS LIKEWISE PROVIDED ITS BASE LIQUOR TO CHICHIBU FOR MATURATION AT THE CHICHIBU DISTILLERY. THE SIX-YEAR MATURATION PERIOD PASSED IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, AND CHICHIBU AND SHINSHU SEPARATELY LAUNCHED THE CHICHIBU AND KOMAGATAKE BLENDED MALT WHISKIES.

PRESIDENT MR. ITO ICHIRO OF CHICHIBU DISTILLERY ONCE SAID, "EXCHANGING BASE WHISKIES IS A GREAT WAY TO TEST THE CHANGES OF THE WHISKY IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS, AND IT IS ALSO A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISTILLERIES' BLENDERS TO HONE THEIR SKILLS, THEREBY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF JAPANESE WHISKY AT A TECHNICAL LEVEL." THIS METHOD CAN TEST THE MATURATION CONDITION OF THE BASE WHISKY IN DIFFERENT CLIMATES. WHAT DIFFERENCES WILL THERE BE WHEN THE SAME BARREL OF BASE WHISKY MATURES AT THE SHINSHU DISTILLERY LOCATED AT A HIGH ALTITUDE IN THE JAPANESE ALPS AND IN THE BASIN CLIMATE OF CHICHIBU? IT IS THIS GRASP OF DETAILS THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE CONTINUOUS PROGRESS OF THE TWO DISTILLERIES.

K驹岳x M秩ヶ父Malt Duo is blended by Shinshu Distillery and bottled at 54% alcohol by volume. Limited to 10,918 bottles. According to official reviews, this wine has the aroma of maple syrup with a hint of fruity peel bitterness. On the palate, a rich and creamy flavor fills the mouth, as if eating a sweet wine cake. The mid-palate transitions to the bittersweet of cocoa, and the finish carries a light smoky roast with the diffusion of black tea-like tea aroma, making it a beautifully layered wine.