Fuji Gotemba (Jōryūsho) Distillery
The Fuji Gotemba Distillery is located at the foot of mount Fuji. Its elevation ensures that the distilleries temperatures range very similar to Scottish distilleries throughout the year. The distillery belongs to the Kirin Distilling group and was founded in the 1970th. The distillery was originally called the Gotemba Distillery and later changed to Fuji-Gotemba when it came under the sole ownership of Kirin in 2002. In 2007 Kirin proceeded to purchase another distillery, Karuizawa.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
