Kirin Fuji Sanroku Japanese Whisky 700mL

Kirin Fuji Sanroku Japanese Whisky 50% ABV

Blended Japanese whisky from Kirin's Fuji Gotemba distillery, which is situated in the foothills of Mt. Fuji. In fact, the label even calls this whisky "A gift from Mt. Fuji", making it a much better souvenir than a t-shirt or fridge magnet. Tasty stuff, this one.

Tasting Note for Kirin Fuji Sanroku Japanese Whisky: Nose: Cherry and almond cake, oak-y peat smoke, thyme honey. Palate: Chocolate-coated biscuits, pink lemonade, a touch of brown sugar. Finish: Grassy notes appear on the finish, alongside continued caramel-y sweetness.

A Japanese exclusive, this high ABV bottling from Kirin was launched in March 2016. The blend features medium and heavy-type grain whiskies combined with a minor peated malt component. Chief blender, Jota Tanaka also decided to bottle this non-chill filtered and at 50%. According to Nonjatta, "The new ‘Fujisanroku 50°C’ is the first generally and permanently available, entry-level NC Japanese blended whisky that is not chill-filtered. A bold move but one that, we are sure, will pay off. It sure does for us drinkers… the first sip you take, you know!" Almost unknown outside of Japan, Fuji Sanroku which means "at the foot of Mount Fuji", is produced in Fuji Gotemba distillery, opened in 1973 and owned by the Kirin Group. As iconic locations go, it's hard to beat this distillery's picturesque environ. The water source is rain and melted snow from the top of Mount Fuji. Maturation typically takes place in x-Bourbon barrels. While the focus is on grain whisky, a quantity of malt whisky is also produced and marketed under various labels (Gotemba & Sanroku), as well as making up a component of the Kirin blended whiskies.