The Three Meanings Behind the Mars Iwai Tradition Whisky Name

As with many whisky names, the name Mars Iwai is far more than a label on a bottle. Behind this Japanese whisky lies a story that’s deeply intertwined with the origins of Japan’s whisky culture and the brand itself. Today, we’re diving into the story behind Mars Iwai.

One of the better-known whisky brands is Mars. The distillery is the third-oldest whisky producer in Japan and is beloved by enthusiasts around the world.

Among Mars’ most cherished whiskies is the Iwai blended malt. Its name goes straight back to the roots of Japanese whisky and the brand itself.

The name Mars Iwai is a deliberate nod to the origins of Japanese whisky. It honors Kiichiro Iwai, echoes Japanese language and nature, and underscores Mars Whisky’s philosophy: respect for history, balance, and craftsmanship.

Let’s start with the first, and perhaps most important, reference: the name of the brand’s founder.

Mars Iwai is named after Kiichiro Iwai, a key figure in the early development of Japanese whisky. In the early 20th century, Iwai played a crucial role in Japan’s beverage industry. He worked closely with Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky.

Using Masataka Taketsuru’s designs, Iwai established his own distillery, which would eventually become the Mars Shinshu Distillery. The distillery moved several times before settling in its ideal location, where the climate and pure mountain water give the whisky its distinctive profile.

It was there that the distillery’s first blend was created, named Iwai. Iwai is therefore both a tribute to a whisky pioneer and the founder of Mars Whisky.

The word “Iwai” isn’t just a historical wink to the brand’s founder. In Japanese, it’s written with the characters for “rock” and “spring.” These two elements form the foundation of the distillery.