u/PoideRen

Distiller & Region: Fuji Gotemba Distillery, Shizuoka, Japan
ABV: 46%
Age: NAS
Price: ￥5280 JPY, $33.30 USD (8/2026)
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Background: Established in 1973, Fuji Gotemba Distillery is operated by Kirin in in Gotemba, Shizuoka. The distillery produces malt, bourbon, and rye whisky using three different types of stills, allowing it to create a diverse range of spirits. Fuji Single Malt is the distillery's first single malt, released in 2020, and is made entirely from malt whisky distilled at Fuji Gotemba. It is matured in bourbon, beer, and French oak wine casks.
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Tasting Notes

Nose: Green Apple, Fresh cut grass, Floral, Pineapple, Vanilla, Crème Brûlée, Honey, Orange Peel

Palate: Oat Biscuits, Light Caramel, Fruit Tart, Pineapples, Peach, Pear, Black Tea

Finish: Malty and Light Smoke, Fruity Sweet Tea
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Summary: While Fuji Single Malt is a relatively new Japanese single malt whisky compared to the offerings from the other two of Japan's Big Three beverage conglomerates (Suntory – Yamazaki, Hakushu | Nikka – Yoichi, Miyagikyo), it manages to hold its own in terms of uniqueness. I feel like it's often overshadowed and overlooked compared to the other bottles, yet I always find myself keeping a bottle of this on my shelves. I don't often find reviews of this bottle, so I thought I'd throw mine in and hopefully it'll attract some people to give it a try!

Fuji Single Malt immediately delivers a scent of Green Apples and Fresh-cut Grass, Fuji Single Malt immediately delivers a scent of Green Apples and Fresh-cut Grass, which I'd say is similar to Freshly Malted Barley. Following that, you get some creamy and sweet notes of Vanilla, Crème Brûlée, and even Honey. Add a bit of water, and the whisky opens up to reveal some Floral and Fruity notes of Pineapples, and Orange Peel.

I recommend adding some water as you go along, as their website recommends, since doing so can reveal multiple layers of aromas.

On the palate, it tastes quite similar to how it smells, leading in with Oat Biscuits and that Malty Sweetness. Following that, I get hints of Light Caramel and, funnily enough, some hints of beer (seems like those beer casks come into good use). Letting it rest a bit more and a few sips later, I start getting the Fruity notes again, a nice Fruit Tart, the mix of Pineapples, Peaches, and Pears over a Sweet Tart Crust, finishing it up with some Black Tea.

The finish was a bit light, but up comes some Light, Malty Smoke, and lingering Fruity Sweet Tea as if I just finished afternoon tea.
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Rating

T8KE Score: 7 – Great

Worth the Price? At it's current MSRP of about ￥8380 (~$53), it's a bit much, but you can easily find it for around ￥5500~6000 (~$38) at most liquor stores, or even Bic Cameras and Don Quixotes around Tokyo, which then I'd say is an instant buy if this bottle interests you.

Will I buy another bottle? I always keep a bottle on hand for when I run out of the last one~
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My Previous Reviews

1. Kavalan Blender's Reserve No.1 & No.2

Distiller & Region: Kavalan (Taiwan)
ABV: 40%
Age: NAS
Price: ￥3980 JPY, $25.22 USD (8/2026)
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Background: These bottles were recently released at Don Quijote stores throughout Japan as a collaboration between Kavalan in Taiwan, and Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) in Japan. As a Japan-exclusive offering, the two bottles were blended and tailored to Japanese drinking preferences, such as use in highballs. No.1 is a lighter, fruitier expression, using ex-Bourbon, Rum, Port, and S.T.R. Port casks, while No.2 is richer and creamier, matured in Brandy, Vinho, and S.T.R. American oak casks.
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Tasting Notes - Blender's Reserve No.1

Nose: Coconut, Pineapple, Honey, Berries, Grassy Malt

Palate: Sweet Tea, Sugar Cane, Tropical Fruits & Berries, Honey, Subtle Spices and Oak

Finish: Taiwanese Marinated Plums, Fresh Wood Shavings
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Tasting Notes - Blender's Reserve No.2

Nose: Red Fruit, Peach, Caramel, Milk Chocolate, Dates, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Cream, Cinnamon

Palate: Toasted Oak, Peach, Oolong Tea, Cinnamon, Oat Biscuits, Wine Tannins

Finish: Light Brandy Warmth, Syrup Sweetness, More Toasted Oak
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Summary: Been sitting on a pile of tasting notes that I've been procrastinating on turning into reviews, thought I'd start of my first review with something that's new and fresh, hoping it could maybe help someone decide if they want to pick up a bottle of this or not. Kavalan to this day is still one of my favorite whisky brands (mainly their Solist series), so I'd always pick up an interesting bottle (or in this case two) of Kavalan when I see it. Also if anyone is wondering why I put the Japanese Yen price at the start, I currently live in Tokyo for work, so I'll include what I bought the bottles for in JPY, but also the price in USD as of the purchase date.

Despite the fact that these bottles might be tailored more towards highballs, I still decided to give them both a try neat, and compare their flavors.

Blender's Reserve No.1 surprised me right off the bat with super noticeable aromas of coconut and pineapple, if I didn't pour the bottle myself, blindfolded I'd think I was smelling a nice Piña Colada. After a couple more minutes (and going back and forth between No.1 and No.2), I start getting some hints of honey and berries, aromas I usually tie to the classic Kavalan profile, followed by some nice grassy malt.

Moving on to tasting the liquid itself, I get an instant wave of sweetness, not too different from Sweet Tea or some Sugar Cane juice (if you've never had it before, you need to try it sometime), followed by once again the Kavalan signature profile of Tropical Fruits & Berries, all while honey and subtle spices linger around.

Finish felt a bit short, however it gave me a lingering tasted of Taiwanese Marinated Plums I'd get at one of those traditional shops on a market street, and a hint of fresh wood shavings.

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Blender's Reserve No.2 smelled more similar the usual Kavalan sherry offerings, albeit leaning more towards brandy or wine aromas (they were aged in Brandy and Vinho casks after all). Upfront I get Red Fruits, Peach, Dates, going back to it a bit later, funnily some Caramel, Milk Chocolate starts showing up for me, and finally some Maple Syrup, Vanilla, and Cinnamon.

No.2 tasted like I was drinking a fruitier Toasted Oak bourbon, with hints of juicy Peaches, Cinnamon, Oat Biscuits (sounds like a peach cobbler at this point), but at the same time the slight bitterness reminds me of Oolong Tea, could be some Wine or Brandy Tannins from the casks?

Once again the finish was a bit short, I get that Light Brandy Warmth, followed by once again, the Toasted Oaky Sweetness.
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Rating - Blender's Reserve No.1

Dramface Score - 6

Worth the Price? Absolutely, about $25 for 500 ml bottle roughly translates to $35 for 700 ml, I'd say its definitely worth the price considering how unique the taste was to me.

Will I buy another bottle? Already did, I could see this bottle becoming a permanent member of my daily drinking shelf.
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Rating - Blender's Reserve No.2

Dramface Score - 5

Worth the Price? Maybe, but mainly if you want to grab No.2 just to compare between the two, otherwise I'd go for the 1000 ml bottles of Kavalan Blender's Select at Costco.

Will I buy another bottle? Only if I'm in the mood for this specific bottle (or if the highball tastes better than it did neat), otherwise I'll just go and drink my bottle of Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique