Kirin Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji is the newest addition to the Fuji brand, which was introduced in 2020 and became a new standard in June of this year.

Many Japanese craft whiskeys focus on local barley, but in the case of Kirin, they do not focus on the place where the raw materials are produced, but rather on the greatness of the place at the foot of Mt. Fuji, where the whiskey is made and nurtured, and the time spent by the original whiskey there.

The new product that reflects this terroir of Gotemba is the “Single Blended Japanese Whiskey Fuji,” which has been released as a new standard product.

The Bottle

The first single blended whiskey recognized in Japan

This single blended Japanese whiskey is the embodiment of Fuji Gotemba Distillery’s commitment and characteristics in whiskey making.

The term “single blended” refers to a blend of malt and grain whiskies made at a single distillery, and was the first designation applied for and approved in Japan when this product was developed.

Fuji Gotemba Distillery, where everything from preparation to maturation is done at the foot of Mt. Fuji, blends a wide variety of malt and grain whiskies, making it a rare product of its kind in the world. In creating this single blended product, we placed great importance on the concept of the “terroir of time” in whiskey.

Terroir in whiskey refers to the location at the foot of Mt. Fuji where the whiskey is produced and nurtured, as well as the time spent by the original whiskey in that location. Fuji, refined over a period of about 50 years, as well as the air quality and weather conditions. The time and climate in which the whiskey was nurtured is the terroir of whiskey, and Single Blended Fuji is a reflection of the terroir at the foot of Mt. Fuji

Reference: https://drinx.kirin.co.jp/whisky/fj/sb2/

Our Take

The barrels were carefully selected to maximize the characteristics of each sake, and the blend is exquisitely balanced so that the colorful characteristics of the sake are multi-layered and vibrant, and there is not a trace of unripe distillate-derived aroma. The result is a fruity, transparent, and “beautiful” finish with no hint of unripeness from the distillate.

The manufacturer recommends drinking it straight in a wine glass (Sauvignon Blanc is best). The wine has a gorgeous fruit aroma reminiscent of peach, apricot, and orange liqueur.
Then, in the mouth, sweet aromas of honey, pear tart, and fruitcake will spread and make you feel pleasantly happy. If you want to enjoy the change of aroma, try adding a teaspoon of water and you will feel the fruity aroma more vividly. It is commented as follows.

(All Images Courtesy of JPWhisky.net)

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