Kirin's Mt. Fuji Distillery sits in an unusual spot in Japanese whisky history. Operating since 1973 at 620 m elevation in Gotemba, it uses meltwater from Mt. Fuji and — uniquely in the world — runs three different grain-whisky styles (bourbon-style, Canadian-style and Scotch-style) under a single roof.
In 2020 Kirin reorganised the malt and grain stocks under the new Fuji brand, releasing Single Grain and Single Malt expressions. The same liquid that historically went into blends like Fujisanroku and Kirin Whisky now reads as a stand-alone tribute to the distillery's terroir.
Fuji Single Grain — A Rare Grain-Led Single
Single grain whisky is rarely sold as a stand-alone product. Grain usually plays a backbone role in blends, and putting it on the front line takes real expressive depth. Fuji Single Grain blends the three in-house grain styles — globally an unusual composition.
Vanilla and pear up front, with bourbon-leaning caramel and brandy-like maturation behind. The palate is mellow and sweet, with spice on the back end. The finish is long, and the cask notes fade out slowly. At 46% the body holds up neat. It overturns the cliché that grain whisky has to read thin.
Fuji Single Malt — A Composed Japanese Malt
Fuji Single Malt uses Mt. Fuji Distillery's malt stock only, also at 46% ABV. Aged in the cool air at the foot of Mt. Fuji, it carries Speyside-leaning sweetness with a Japanese poise on top.
Apple, honey, and a thread of floral aroma on the nose. The palate is smooth, with the cask kept restrained. The finish is medium and the malt sweetness lingers softly. Less assertive than Yamazaki or Hakushu — it lands gently with both new drinkers and seasoned ones. Lined up against the Single Grain, the malt's "rounded shoulders" against grain's "depth" make the distillery's range visible in a single sitting.
Distilleries that can offer both a Single Grain and a Single Malt under one name are scarce. With the meltwater of Mt. Fuji and three grain stills under one roof, this is also a piece of industrial heritage worth keeping on a shelf.
Mt. Fuji Distillery and the Fuji brand
Operating since 1973
Started as a Kirin–Seagram joint venture, now under Kirin. Located at 620 m in Gotemba, using Mt. Fuji's meltwater. One of the very few distilleries in the world running three grain whisky styles (bourbon, Canadian, Scotch) under a single roof.
The Fuji brand reset (2020)
The Fuji brand was relaunched in 2020 as Single Grain and Single Malt expressions. Stock that had previously gone into blends (Fujisanroku, Kirin Whisky) was reframed as a single-identity range reflecting the distillery's terroir.
Distillery visits
The distillery offers booked tours; seeing three grain still types (continuous, kettle, etc.) at a single facility is genuinely rare worldwide.
Both available on Amazon.co.jp; pricing varies with stock.