Fuji Sanroku Signature Blend” is a blended whisky created by the world’s best blending technology by carefully selecting raw spirits that have reached their peak of maturity. It is a blend of the world-renowned grain whiskies from Gotemba Distillery and the blending techniques of Master Blender Jota Tanaka, who won the World’s Best Blending Award at IOW2017*1. To begin with, the Fuji Sanroku Signature Blend was a product sold exclusively at the Fuji Gotemba Distillery’s factory store and the Kirin online store DRINX (Drinks) since April 2017. It went on sale nationwide on August 21, 2018.
*1 IOW・・・The IOW is a competition established to recognize manufacturers, distilleries, people, and retailers who have made significant contributions to the global whisky industry.
1. Manufacture
Kirin Distillery Co.
| Establishment | August 1972 |
| Head office location | 970 Shibanta, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture 〒412-0003, Japan |
| Own Distillery | Fuji Gotenba Distillery |
2. Distillery
Fuji Gotenba Distillery
| Location | 970 Shibanta, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture 〒412-0003, Japan |
| Start of operation | November 1973 |
August 1972 Kirin Seagram Company Limited was established as a joint venture between Kirin Brewery Company Limited (Japan), JE Seagram Company Limited (U.S., at the time), and Seavers Brothers Limited (U.K.).
November 1973 Fuji Gotemba distillery completed and production started.
February 1974 Domestic whisky “Robert Brown” launched.
July 2002 Changed the company name to Kirin Distillery Company Limited (became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirin Brewery Company Limited).
September 2005 Domestic whisky Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku Barrel-Ripened 50° and Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku Single Malt 18 Years were launched.
March 2016 Release of Kirin Whisky Fuji-Sanroku Blended 18 Year Old and Kirin Whisky Fuji-Sanroku Barrel-Ripened 50°.
August 2018: Launch of “Fuji Sanroku Signature Blend”.
April 2020: Launch of Kirin Single Grain Whisky Fuji
Located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Kirin Distillery Company Limited’s Fuji Gotemba Distillery is a whisky distillery, which is unique in the world in that it carries out the entire process from preparation to bottling of malt and grain whisky.
The distillery produces a wide variety of Kirin Group products, including whisky, mineral water, and canned chuhai, in a blessed natural environment with abundant underground water from Fuji, a cool climate, and fog that occurs repeatedly throughout the year.
In February 2019, it invested approximately 8 billion yen to expand our production facilities in preparation for a further increase in whisky sales volume in the future.
In order to produce a wide variety of malt whisky raw materials, four new small fermentation tanks and two series of four distillers will be installed to approximately double the raw material production capacity, and the barrel storage capacity will be increased by approximately 20% by renovating and enlarging the barrel maturation room. The aim is to create a production system that can provide a stable supply of high-quality whisky in the future. The plant is scheduled to start operation in June 2021.
Quote: Kirin Distillery Co. Official HP
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3. product name and photo
Kirin FUJI-SANROKU Signature Blend
富士山麓 means the foot of Mt Fuji.
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4. Features
This “Fuji Sanroku” is a blend of carefully selected raw spirits that have reached the peak of their maturity.
One of the characteristics of this whisky is that it does not focus on the age of the whisky, but rather focuses on the different stages of maturation of the raw spirits (malt, barrel material, etc.) used, and blends the raw spirits that are at their highest level of maturity (*maturation peak).
It is a whisky that symbolizes Fuji Gotemba Distillery, created by the skilled blending techniques of master blender Jota Tanaka, using mainly the raw spirits that have reached the peak of maturity. The whisky is characterized by its multi-layered and mature flavor, with a fruity and gorgeous aroma reminiscent of pears, pineapples, and orange peel, and sweet and aromatic flavors like brown sugar and baked goods.
Maturation Peak
Maturation Peak refers to the state (maturity period) in which the original flavor characteristics and personality of each whisky are best expressed. Depending on the nature of the distillate prior to barrel maturation, the type of barrel in which the whisky is matured, and the temperature and humidity environment, the timing at which the whisky reaches its maturation peak varies, and the maturation trajectory followed by the whisky differs.
4-1． Tasting Notes
| Scent | Melon, lemon, lime, persimmon, nuts, and green apple lead the way, followed by vanilla and wafers. |
| Taste | Pungent when straight, but with added water, bitter, sourness prevails and the aftertaste is sweet |
| Aftertaste | The wine has a noble aroma of aging and a complex, deep finish that lingers comfortably |
Quote : Kirin Whisky Fuji Sanroku
4-2． Product Specifications
| Alcohol level | 50% |
| By Liquor | Blended Whisky |
| Barrel type | ー |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of sales | ー |
| Suggested retail price | 5,500yen (including tax) |
| Release date | 21th August 2018 |
5. Awards
There are no awards at this time.
6. Price
6-1． Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | Kirin FUJI-SANROKU Signature Blend 富士山麓 |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 5,500yen (including tax) |
6-2． Resale prices at Mercari
Resale prices at Mercari are around 3,700 yen to 4,500 yen. (*As of March 22, 2021)
6-3． Yahoo Auction Winning Bid Price
The winning bid price at yahoo auction is 2,301 yen, up to 5,000 yen, average 3,121 yen (*Statistical information for the past 120 days from March 22, 2021)
6-4． Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
It is also sold on mail order sites for around 4,400 yen to 5,000 yen. (*As of March 22, 2021)
6-5． Offered prices at BAR Shinkai
“BAR Shinkai” operated by this site offers one cup, 45ml: 1,540 yen.
7. Summary
When you pour a glass of Fuji Sanroku Signature Blend, it has a darker color than Fuji Sanroku Barrel Aged Original 50°, and after the fruity aroma, it leaves a sweet and mellow aroma like vanilla and caramel. The lingering aroma alone will keep you enjoying your glass for an hour. The taste is mellow and you can feel the sweet and mellow aging in the barrel. The alcohol content of this whisky is 50 degrees, the same as that of the Fuji Sanroku Barrel-Ripened Original 50°, but it has a mellow, mature, and deep flavor without the high alcohol content. The Signature Blend has a mellow, mature, and deep flavor without the high alcohol content. This is the perfect time to drink it, and I highly recommend it to those who prefer single malt.
This deep and mellow flavor can be fully enjoyed with a highball or with water, but if you just chill it, the good aroma will be weakened, so I recommend drinking it twisted up. Please try it at Bar Shinkai.
