History

• Fuji Hokuroku Distillery is located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, and was established in 2020. The owner is Ide Brewery, an older brewery with roots dating back to the 18th century with soy sauce; in the 19th century sake production began. In July 2020 whisky production started at Fuji Hokuroku Distillery and builds on Ide Brewery's experience from sake production. A rare fermentation technique is used by adding sake yeast to the wort instead of the usual whisky or beer yeast.
• The blended whisky project, Grain Whisky Daijukai, was launched in November 2020 and combines grain whisky and malt whisky, primarily using rice.
• The distillery is owned by Ide Brewery and offers tours.

Production

• Fermentation: Uses sake yeast in fermentation instead of traditional whisky or beer yeast.
• Whisky production started in July 2020.
• Materials/Raw materials: Grain and malt whiskies are used in the blended Grain Whisky Daijukai; rice plays a central role in this product.

Products / Whisky Series

• Grain Whisky Daijukai: a blended whisky that combines grain whisky and malt whisky; primarily based on the use of rice. The brand name is listed as "Malt Grain Whisky Daijukai".

Visits / Experiences

• Distillery Tours: Yes, tours are available.

Philosophy

• Ide Brewery's background in sake production and the use of sake yeast in whisky fermentation show an approach that blends sake and whisky techniques – with a focus on leveraging sake know-how and rice in whisky production.