Fuji's First 12-Year-Old Whisky to Launch in the UK and France in October

On 18 September 2026, Kirin Brewery announced that Kirin Single Grain Japanese Whisky Fuji 12 Year Old, made at the Fuji Gotemba Distillery in Shizuoka Prefecture, will go on sale first in the UK and France from October, and at duty-free airport shops in the US and Japan (Haneda, Narita and Kansai) from November. It is the first expression under the Kirin Japanese Whisky Fuji brand to carry an age statement, and a general release in Japan is reportedly planned for 2027 or later. In other words, European enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on this bottle before Japanese consumers.

Three grain whiskies, chosen at their peak of maturity

In the whisky world, malt whisky made solely from malted barley tends to take centre stage, while grain whisky made from cereals such as maize and wheat is often seen as a supporting player in blends. The Fuji Gotemba Distillery is distinguished by distilling three types of grain whisky, each with its own character. For this 12 Year Old, whiskies from each of the three types were selected at the point when each was showing its best qualities, and then blended. Kirin describes the result as having a vivid aroma reminiscent of ripe fruit, a clean sweetness and an elegant flavour. It is positioned as the culmination of more than half a century of whisky-making and blending expertise honed at the foot of Mount Fuji.

48% and non-chill-filtered: a serious statement of intent

The specifications will appeal to enthusiasts too. The whisky is bottled at 48% ABV and is non-chill-filtered. This means that components which can cause cloudiness at low temperatures are deliberately left in, a method intended to preserve flavour and aroma, and a specification favoured by distilleries that care about such details. The bottle holds 700ml and is sold at an open price. The packaging bears an “Aged 12 Years” mark and a gold-leaf-style design, and uses a shoulder label, a first for the brand, and a metal cap seal. Against a backdrop of growing worldwide demand for Japanese whisky and rising interest in premium products, Kirin says it wants to raise the brand value of Fuji through overseas markets.

How to enjoy it in Europe

The October release is limited to the UK and France, and official distribution in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain has not been announced at this stage. The quickest route is probably to follow stock news from specialist shops and online retailers in the UK and France. Kirin itself cautions, however, that release timing may shift depending on export conditions. When tasting, pay attention to how the three types of grain whisky layer together and to the balance between fruitiness and sweetness. At 48%, try it neat first to judge the aroma, then compare how it opens up with a little water; this should reveal what is interesting about single grain, a minority category.