Kirin Fuji-Gotemba Distillery Tour

kirin-small-batch-17-and-25 — *Kirin’s finest products: the 25-year Small Batch Grain and 17-year Small Batch Malt*

Kirin is one of Japan’s big three beverage companies, along with Suntory and Asahi (owner of the Nikka brand). All make beer and soft drinks and distribute them through their vast networks throughout Japan and the world but Kirin, unlike its rivals, is yet to export its whisky.

A tour of Kirin’s facility is a must for any whisky aficionado. You’ll need to take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Gotemba Station, and then a bus or taxi ride.

kirin-whiskies — *Multiple award winning Fuji-Gotemba Sanroku 50 on display*

The free tour starts off with an impressive film, detailing the history of Kirin Whisky, making much of its pure water in the foothills of Mount Fuji.

*Tour guide explains the workings of a coffey still*

After viewing the industrial facilities, and taking a curious nosing test, visitors go the tasting room. The default drink is a highball, made with one of Japan’s better value whiskies, Fuji-Gotemba Sanroku 50. By the way, here’s a word to the wise… please do not pay silly prices for this online; you can find it in Japan for about 1,800 yen (USD18) just about everywhere (well, almost all liquor stores, supermarkets and konbinis).

You can also sample for a fee the flagship products, the Kirin 25 Small Batch Grain, awarded Best Japanese Grain Whisky 2016, and the 17 Small Batch Malt.

*The Kirin tasting bar with Fuji-Gotemba Sanroku 50, along with dearer offerings*

tasting-kirin-25 — *The Kirin 25 Small Batch Single Grain was awarded the best grain whisky in the world, 2016*

kirin-highball

Fuji-Gotemba Sanroku 50 Highball

_20160701_210033 — *Bar menu, including the 25-year Grain for 3,000 yen and 18-year Malt for 1,500 yen. And for bourbon fans, Four Roses Single Barrel at a tasty 500 yen*

The head distiller, Jota Tanka, is delivering some quality products, in particular the Blender’s Choice Single Malt and Single Grain. The latter won the World Whiskies Award Best Grain Whisky Non-age Statement, defeating Nikka Coffey Gran and Suntory Chita. Atsushi Horigami, owner of Shot Bar Zoetrope, recommends them so consider dropping a few bills for them and a Kirin 25.