Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery
The Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery is owned by powerhouse beer producer Kirin and is one of Japan’s largest producers of whisky, falling behind only Suntory and Nikka. Housed in the township of Gotemba the distillery was originally called Gotemba Distillery until 2002, when Kirin took over sole ownership.
While Suntory and Nikka have dominated the world of late Kirin is no slouch with its 12 million litre, plus annual production. However the whiskies from the Fuji Gotemba distillery are certainly ones to keep an eye out for and come with their own air of charm and individual quality.
The distillery itself is located at the foothills of the iconic Mountain Fuji and uses the crystal, clear mountain waters off its peaks, 600 meters above sea level. First starting bottling in 1973 it is one of the few distilleries that distil both malt and grain whiskies with a sometime overwhelming set of releases. It produces pure, floral and fruity whiskies often with Bourbon cask finishes but also a range of malts, vatting’s, and oak finishes.
While Suntory and Nikka have dominated the world of late Kirin is no slouch with its 12 million litre, plus annual production. However the whiskies from the Fuji Gotemba distillery are certainly ones to keep an eye out for and come with their own air of charm and individual quality.
The distillery itself is located at the foothills of the iconic Mountain Fuji and uses the crystal, clear mountain waters off its peaks, 600 meters above sea level. First starting bottling in 1973 it is one of the few distilleries that distil both malt and grain whiskies with a sometime overwhelming set of releases. It produces pure, floral and fruity whiskies often with Bourbon cask finishes but also a range of malts, vatting’s, and oak finishes.