Hombo Shuzo Co

Hombo Shuzo is a Japanese company that was originally founded as a cotton processer in Kagoshima in 1872. It transistioned into the liquor trade in 1909 before starting to make whisky in 1949. With the assistance of Kiichiro Iwai, it operated its first distillery in Kagoshima between 1960 and 1969, a second in Yamanashi from 1978 to 1984, and a third in Shinshu from 1985 to 1992 (initially using the original Iwai pot tills from Kagoshima).

The turn of the 21st century saw an upturn in Hombo Shuzo' whisky fortunes as demand for its Mars Whisky blends was increasing. It re-opened the Shinshu distillery in 2011 and it has since been joined by a second in Tsunuki. It markets single malt brands from both.