In Scotland, there is a long-standing history of trading whiskies in the cask. With most distilleries producing one distinct character of whisky, balance and complexity were created by blenders sourcing barrels from all over Scotland.

In Japan, this tradition does not exist. Instead, Japanese whisky producers create a wide range of styles in one place, or across multiple distillery sites. Fuji Gotemba makes use of both pot and column stills and a variety of different grains in a really diverse and exciting way. These methods create whiskies made in a range of styles inspired by Scottish, American and Canadian distilling traditions.

The same is true of wood and cask management. Japanese distillers have had to be creative to curate a wide flavour profile.

At Fuji there are the standard ex-bourbon, and American white oak, but these are also bolstered by wine, Mizunara and beer casks. No surprise when the distillery is owned by the Kirin group.