An aged bottle has finally, finally been added to the Kirin Fuji lineup…!!!
Kirin Beer Co., Ltd. (President: Hideki Horiguchi) will launch a limited-edition “Kirin Single Grain Japanese Whisky Fuji 12 Years,” produced at the Kirin Distillery Fuji Gotemba, in the UK and France starting in October, and in the U.S. and at domestic airport duty-free shops starting in November.
A domestic release in Japan is scheduled for 2027 or later.
In recent years, global demand for Japanese Whisky has continued to grow, and interest in premium products that offer both quality and distinct character is on the rise.
We are launching this product as a new flagship of the “Kirin Japanese Whisky Fuji” (hereinafter “Fuji”) brand, which has earned high acclaim worldwide.
1. Kirin Single Grain Japanese Whisky Fuji 12 Years
This product is a special single-grain Japanese Whisky blended from three types of grain spirits, the pride of the Fuji Gotemba Distillery.
We carefully identified the peak maturation points of each of the diverse grain whiskys unique to “Fuji” and meticulously selected the base spirits whose characteristics had fully blossomed.
By carefully blending these spirits, we have achieved a gorgeous aroma reminiscent of ripe fruit, a crisp sweetness, and an elegant flavor.
This bottle embodies the diverse spirit-making and blending techniques that have been refined for over half a century at the foot of Mount Fuji.Through its launch in overseas markets, our company aims to further enhance the brand value of “Fuji” while promoting the appeal of Japanese Whisky to the world.
| Product Name | “Kirin Single Grain Japanese Whisky Fuji 12 Years” |
| Release Date and Regions | 1. October: United Kingdom, France 2. November: United States, domestic airport duty-free shops* Duty-free shops at Tokyo International Airport, Narita International Airport, and Kansai International Airport Release dates are subject to change depending on export conditions |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Price | Open price |
| Alcohol | 48% (non-chill-filtered) |
| Excise Tax Category | Whisky |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
| Production Site | Kirin Distillery, Fuji Gotemba Distillery |
2. About the Fuji Gotemba Distillery
| Location | 970 Shibanoda, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture 412-0003 |
| Start of Operations | November 1973 |
August 1972 Kirin Seagram Co., Ltd. was established as a joint venture between Kirin Beer Co., Ltd. (Japan), JE Seagram (U.S., at the time), and Seabers Brothers (U.K.)
November 1973 The Fuji Gotemba Distillery was completed and began production
February 1974 Launched the domestic Whisky “Robert Brown”
July 2002 Company name changed to “Kirin Distillery Co., Ltd.” (became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirin Beer Co., Ltd.)
September 2005 Launched the domestic Whiskys “Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku Barrel-Aged 50°” and “Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku Single Malt 18 Years”
March 2016 Launched “Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku Blended 18 Years” and “Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku Barrel-Aged Unblended 50°”
August 2018 “Fujisanroku Signature Blend” launched
April 2020 “Kirin Single Grain Whisky Fuji” launched
Located at the foot of Mount Fuji, “Kirin Distillery Co., Ltd. Fuji Gotemba Distillery” is one of the world’s few Whisky distilleries that handles the entire process—from mashing malt and grain Whisky to bottling—under one roof.
Surrounded by an abundant supply of underground water from Mount Fuji, a cool climate, and frequent fog throughout the year—all part of a blessed natural environment—the distillery produces a wide variety of Kirin Group products, including Whisky, mineral water, and canned chu-hai.
In February 2019, the distillery invested approximately 8 billion yen to expand its production facilities in preparation for further growth in Whisky sales volume in the future .
To produce a diverse range of malt Whisky base spirits, we installed four small fermentation tanks and four distillers in two production lines, approximately doubling our base spirit production capacity. We also increased our barrel storage capacity by about 20% through the renovation and expansion of our barrel aging warehouse.The goal is to establish a production system capable of consistently supplying high-quality Whisky into the future. Operations began in June 2021.
Source: Kirin Distillery Co., Ltd. official website
 |
 |
Please also see the information on the Fuji Gotemba Distillery below.
3. Fuji Gotemba Distillery Product Lineup
3-1. Single Malt Japanese Whisky Fuji
3-2. Fuji Single Blended Japanese Whisky
3-3. Single Grain Fuji Whisky
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
