Kirin Fuji Sanroku 18 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

As Kirin owns Four Roses in Kentucky, quality x Bourbon casks dominate their maturations, which makes this limited edition a little unusual. Released around 2016 and now hard-to-find, the whisky was finished in x Oloroso sherry casks. The label says ‘Blended and Bottled by Kirin’, not ‘distilled’… so it may contain an imported element. Regardless, the malt content is typically high in these bottlings. Similar Kirin limited editions have been runs of around 3000 bottles. Expect the same here. One only. 43% Alc./Vol.

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.

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. The less expensive ''Fuji Gotemba'' label contains only 18 year old malt, while ''Sanroku'' reputedly contains malt up to 24 years of age (malts are aged by their youngest component), hence the higher price tag.