Kirin is one of Japan's most storied beverage companies, with roots stretching back to 1885 when Japan Brewery Company was founded. The company was reorganised and renamed Kirin Brewery in 1907, and has since grown into one of the country's most influential food and beverage conglomerates. Kirin's foray into whisky production began in 1972, with distilling operations commencing in 1973 at the Fuji Gotemba Distillery, dramatically situated at the base of the iconic Mount Fuji. The Fuji Gotemba Distillery has become the cornerstone of Kirin's whisky portfolio, producing a delicate, complex, and estery style of whisky that reflects its unique terroir. In 2002, Kirin further deepened its whisky expertise by acquiring Four Roses Bourbon in Kentucky, sending master blender Jota Tanaka to learn from one of America's most respected distilleries. This cross-cultural exchange enriched Kirin's blending philosophy and shaped its premium expressions, most notably the Fuji Gotemba and Fuji-Sanroku ranges. In recent years, Kirin has embraced the global Japanese whisky renaissance, partnering with Pernod Ricard to distribute its super-premium FUJI brand internationally. The company's master blender has projected that exports of the premium range could more than double by 2025, underlining Kirin's growing ambitions on the world stage and its reputation as a serious force in Japanese whisky.