Fuji - Handmade Japanese Whiskey Glass from Kori Whiskey Review

 

I’ve long been fascinated with glassware. Some folks roll their eyes and say The glass doesn’t matter because there are master distillers out there who say they’ll drink their whiskey out of a rocks glass, and people hang their hats on that.

 

Those people are wrong, as are the master distillers. Sure, you must take that with a grain of salt (or corn, rye, wheat, barley – whathaveyou). If you’re more interested in a casual drinking session, then they are correct: the vessel doesn’t matter. If, on the other hand, you’re interested in genuinely experiencing what the whiskey is about and all that it offers, you need a proper whiskey glass.

Over the years, I’ve performed many experiments and written about them enough times to know that, yes, glassware matters. I’ve done my fair share of head-to-head competitions. Depending on the shape of the glass, the whiskey will have a different aroma and taste.

 

You can spend a fortune on a “good” whiskey glass; there’s stuff out there that approaches (and even exceeds) three figures. I’ve yet to find one that justifies the price beyond its aesthetic appeal and serving as a good conversation piece.

 

Today, I’m sipping from one such conversation piece, albeit nothing close to as expensive as many. It is called Fuji and available from Kori Whiskey (https://koriwhiskey.com):

 

“Our glasses blend ancient craftsmanship with modern innovation to enhance the complex flavors and aromas of whiskey. Precision-engineered curves, balanced weight, and crystal-clear glass ensure each sip is a taste of tradition and excellence. At Kori Whiskey, every glass embodies a storied heritage, offering both exceptional quality and a sensory journey through the art of spirit-making.” – Kori Whiskey

 

As you can see, the goal isn’t just to have a pretty glass. Kori Whiskey intends for its glassware to be fully functional. Kori does have many designs of glasses available on its website. I was offered the opportunity to select any glass I wanted for the review, and I chose the Fuji because it was shaped like a whiskey glass, with a broader base and a narrow chimney, and it was visually appealing.

 

Fuji is handmade and mimics the appearance of Japan’s Mt. Fuji, featuring a rocky, craggy, and raked texture. It weighs slightly less than a standard Glencairn nosing glass (0.45oz versus 0.50oz) and is both shorter and broader, somewhat like a Canadian whisky glass, yet half the heft of one. It comes in a wooden gift box, along with a thick, cushiony coaster.

 

Mrs. Whiskeyfellow assisted me with an unboxing video, which is below:

 

I do thank Kori Glass for this #DrinkCurious opportunity in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. I’m going to sip from it with KAIYō Japanese Mizunara Oak Single Cask Whisky; it seemed like an appropriate choice.

 

Fuji – Handmade Japanese Whiskey Glass

• Heat-Resistant Glass
• 220mL capacity
• 88mm high, 55mm wide
• $44.70 includes shipping (quantity discounts available)
• Money Back Guarantee

 

Appearance and Feel: There are some handmade whiskey glasses that I’m almost scared to pick up because they feel so fragile. Fuji feels solid without being clunky. It is mesmerizing to look at with all the grooves and crevices.

 

There is one spot at the mountain’s base where there’s a notch. I’m unsure if that’s because Mt. Fuji looks like that; it was perfect for my thumb to rest against. There’s another, almost directly across, that’s less pronounced, which may work for someone with a smaller hand. I put mine there, but I found it less comfortable.

 

As it turned out, those grooves made it easy to grasp. I could spin the glass in my hand without worrying that I’d lose control or drop it. That’s not even something I usually do; it came naturally in this instance.

 

Nosing: The mouth of the glass was wide enough to allow alcohol fumes to escape while concentrating the aroma for purposeful sniffing. I can also fit my rather large schnozz in it, something that I can’t do with my standby Glencairn nosing glass. I found that pleasurable.

 

On the other hand, the rim of the glass was quite thick, which made pulling the vapor through my lips a bit challenging. For me, this is a critical part of my whiskey experience, and the only way I could make it work was to tilt the rim away from my face, which hindered my ability to even draw in the air. And, I have to be fair; that’s not something most whiskey enthusiasts even think about.

 

Tasting: I discovered that I didn’t have to lean my head back as much as I do with a Glencairn (again, because of my huge nose). In a way, that was strange because after all these years, I’m so used to it. But I liked this newfound freedom.

 

Fuji channeled the flavors nicely, concentrating on more intense notes from the KAIYō pour, especially with the caramel component.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I found the Fuji - Handmade Japanese Whiskey Glass to be well-designed and more than just attractive. It fit my hand nicely and I found it easy to control. It performs as a good whiskey glass should, and that’s worth a lot to me.

 

While $45.00 or so isn’t an obnoxious amount to pay for a good whiskey glass, my standby runs about one-quarter that amount. However, aside from an interesting logo (and we all know the Whiskeyfellow logo rocks), there isn’t much about my usual Glenciarn nosing glass that causes people to ask if they could look at it. If I wanted to impress someone, I could see pulling this out; it begs to be inspected.

 

Fuji - Handmade Japanese Whiskey Glass works as advertised. I commend Kori Whiskey for going above and beyond the basics. I really, really liked this glass; I found myself talking about it with Mrs. Whiskeyfellow and highlighting all of its cool points. I’m happy to have it, and this is one that I would actually use, as opposed to many other fancy glasses that I merely have on display. My Bottle rating is justified. Cheers! 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.