The Fukano Distillery stands in Hitoyoshi City on the island of Kyushu, Japan. It was founded in 1823 and is located in the Kyushu mountain region that is famed for its pristine nature and exceptionally-pure water. The first distillery in the Kumamoto Prefecture to mature the traditional Japanese rice spirit shochu in barrels, this process was first put into practice by Chizuru Fukano, the current president's mother. Now in their fifth generation of Fukanos, the distillery is led by Shigeruriku Fukano. Their whisky is produced using a combination of malted and unmalted rice using a pot still. The limited-edition releases see only a few casks bottled each year, which include spirits that have been aged in various oak casks. Distilled, matured, and bottled in Japan, Fukano whiskies are only sold in export markets. The Fukano 2020 Edition is bottled at 81.2 proof and boasts a complex profile with tropical fruit, rice, spices, vanilla, and caramel notes. 

About the Brand

Founded in 1823, Fukano Distillery is located in Hitoyoshi City, of the Kumamoto Prefecture of Japan on the island of Kyushu. Hitoyoshi is surrounded by mountains and is known for its pure water and nature. Shigeruriku Fukano is the fifth generation of his family to run the distillery. They use a combination of malted and un-malted rice to make their whisky in a pot still. These releases are very limited in nature and only a few casks are bottled each year. For 2016 they have released a few single new oak casks and also one white label marriage of sherry and new oak casks. Fukano Distillery makes a wonderful whisky that is sold in export markets only and is not to be considered as a Japanese Whisky. It is a Whisky that is distilled, matured, and bottled in Japan.

Our Process

LOCALLY GROWN RICE, A PURE WATER SOURCE & CHARRED BARRELS

Because rice is a clean, sulfurless, distillate it doesn’t require copper stills to produce a drinkable beverage and is instead distilled in stainless steel still and distilled at a relatively low proof. After distillation the shochu, which would be called new make outside of Japan, is then transferred to new charred oak barrels and laid to rest in a warehouse that more closely resembles a Scottish dunnage than a Kentucky Rickhouse.

Fukano 10 Years old Tasting Notes

Appearance / Color : Warm Gold.

Nose / Aroma / Smell: The aroma is delicate but thick with florals, mixed citrus, and sandalwood.

Flavor / Taste / Palate: The palate opens up with a silky complexity stretching from exotic spices and mint to white plum and marmalade.

Finish: The palate is medium length and lingers with notes of marzipan and raisins.