"In whiskey, you can richly feel the fruit and floral aromas, and you can enjoy it lightly like champagne. The 'Fuji' whiskey aims to show more than just whiskey, researching various methods to enjoy its aroma and drink it in diverse ways."
On the 25th, at a media conference for the Japanese premium whiskey 'Fuji' held at HiteJinro's Seocho building in Seoul, Master Blender Jota Tanaka of the Gotemba Distillery said this. He visited Korea to participate in the '2025 Seoul Bar and Spirit Show,' which runs until the 27th at COEX in Seoul. HiteJinro expanded its lineup to six types this month, adding 'Fuji Blended,' 'Fuji Single Blended,' 'Fuji Single Grain,' and 'Fuji Single Malt 17 Years' after introducing 'Fuji Sanroku Signature Blend' and 'Fuji Single Malt' last year.
The Gotemba Distillery was established in 1973 by the Kirin Group. It is located 12 km from the summit of Mount Fuji, at an elevation of 620 meters. Master Blender Tanaka explained, "The snow and rain that fall on Mount Fuji slowly seep through volcanic rock and flow filtered for 50 years." He noted, "The distillery is situated atop that water flow." He added that the accumulated water over decades has low minerals and high purity, forming the basis for clean and smooth whiskey.
The biggest feature of the Gotemba Distillery is that it produces both malt whiskey, primarily made from barley malt, and grain whiskey using grains other than barley. Most distilleries worldwide produce malt and grain at different locations, with blending often occurring in one place. However, Fuji performs all processes—from raw materials input to saccharification, fermentation, distillation, aging, blending, and bottling—within a single facility. Blender Tanaka stated, "Facilities with such a system are rare globally."
Fuji is pioneering a genre called 'single blended whiskey' by utilizing these characteristics. For consumers familiar with single malt and single grain, single blended may be unfamiliar. He explained, "Single blended is a product that blends malt and grain whiskey that have been fermented, distilled, and aged at a single distillery." Fuji Single Blended was first launched in 2022. Master Blender Tanaka explained that the new method of single blended was devised while contemplating whiskey that only Fuji can produce.
Master Blender Tanaka introduced two types of whiskey, Fuji Single Blended and Single Grain, that day. The single blended features a glamorous and balanced flavor, reminding one of peaches, apricots, and orange liqueur, with fruity aromas, sweetness of honey, and nutty scents akin to biscuits. The single grain presents a sweet and bright flavor while showcasing layered tastes. One can sequentially sense aromas of raspberry, orange marmalade, and pound cake.
He recommended adding a small amount of water, equivalent to the cap of a bottled water, to the whiskey when drinking. He said, "Many people think it's difficult to enjoy fruit or floral aromas in whiskey," adding, "While there is a method of adding ice to whiskey, adding a small amount of water changes the explosive aroma. I hope you try enjoying whiskey in a wine glass and experience the fragrance by adding water." He also mentioned, "I recommend freezing a champagne glass and mixing 30 ml of whiskey with soda water," stating, "This is a way to enjoy whiskey like premium champagne."
Master Blender Tanaka said, "Korea is a country where food and liquor culture is very developed," adding, "I hope you can well appreciate the character of the whiskey made by Kirin and enjoy it in various ways." He is scheduled to showcase Fuji whiskey to Korean customers at the Bar and Spirit Show on the 26th.