Kiichiro Iwai, the father of MARS
Kiichiro Iwai, the creator of Mars Whisky, was a renowned expert in alcohol distillation technology. He sent Masataka Taketsuru to Scotland to study whisky production, making Taketsuru the first Japanese person to do so.
After becoming an advisor to Hombo Shuzo, Iwai was entrusted with planning the whisky division. Drawing on Taketsuru's Whisky Practice Report—the foundation of Japanese whisky production—and his own expertise and experience, Iwai oversaw factory design and production guidance. Thus, Mars Whisky was born, tracing its historical lineage back to the origins of Japanese whisky.
Over half a century of operation
The pot still is a symbol of whiskey production. At the Mars Komagatake Distillery, the original pot still designed by Mr. Iwai is on display, and his designs are still in operation today.
This pot still is essential to the history of Mars Whisky. In gratitude and respect for Mr. Iwai, the blended whisky was named "Iwai Tradition."
More than half a century since the Iwai-type pot still has been in operation