Fukano Distillery

 Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Japan.
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.
More Info at www.fukanowhisky.com
 Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Japan.
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. 

Awards & Reviews

WoW 2018 GOLD  in the category of Rice Blended for Fukano 2018

Wind and Spirits Magazine

2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge – Fukano 10yr – 96 points – Top 100 Spirits

The Whiskey Jug Review
JewMalt Review
Distiller.com Review

Winewhiskeydine Review

Photo credit @wskycvlt

Chris Uhde walks you through a tour of the Fukano Distillery in Japan

Fukano Edition #2223

There is a special place within the clouds peacefully suspended over Hitoyoshi Japan consisting of sea salt, foreign trade winds, and eventual showers. This canopy continues to germinate the Fukano profile; untouched as it has been for centuries. Pure, natural, & simply delicious.

This latest edition for 2022/2023 offers a beautiful blend of koji whisky aged in refilled White Oak, Manzanila Sherry, and French red wine casks. Yielding a total of 5,670 bottles released globally. Bottled at 41.6% abv.

NOSE: Sugared plums and mulberry are presented with fresh rain and powdered baking spices; with hints of root veg sweetness.

PALATE: Young cherry blossoms, waxed honeysuckle, and orchard fruit soak in just before the delicate citrus oils and lightly toasted macadamia nut, butterscotch, and tropical skins arrive.

FINISH: As the spices settle to a soft creaminess, a whispering fizz complimented by ripe plantains and dried wine melt slowly toward a lasting semi-sweet white chocolate covered cherry fade.

Fukano Chizuru

3,000 Bottle Limited Production

This small batch release of Fukano Whisky has been created in collaboration with Women Who Whiskey to celebrate the career of Chizuru Fukano.

The whisky was matured in used Oak, Manzanilla Sherry and Red Wine casks. This collaboration with the international Women Who Whiskey club is a sessionable sipper with complexity and backbone that would also work well in a refreshing cocktail.

“Nose: So much going on here. Fresh raspberries under a hot sun. A Coffee note weaves through then transitions into an earthy, exotic note of rooibos tea. A bright little zing of slightly underripe strawberries with an undertone of hyacinth, then redwood!

Palate: A burst of allspice on the front palate. Very lightly stewed golden plum mid-palate, a hint of thyme, then more of that woodsy earthiness–like a dry, evergreen forest—that was found on the nose.

Finish: Rose petals just before they lose the bloom. A strong under note of cacao and a little bit of milky coffee with a lingering finish.”
-Kim Ohanneson, President ~Women Who Whiskey, Los Angeles Chapter”

In 2021, Women Who Whiskey celebrates 10 years of uniting whiskey Lovers around the globe. Both for amateurs and connoisseurs, wWw is dedicated to creating a space where our members can cultivate their passions for whiskey and community. With a focus on inclusion, wWw aims to create an educational and experimental environment for those who have all-too-often been left out of the traditionally male-dominated world of whiskey. Membership provides the opportunity to learn about spirits and cocktail culture, and to join a world-wide network of like-minded people with a taste for curiosity and delicious drams. Cheers!

90 Points – Whisky Advocate

Fukano 2021

2,550 Bottles

The Fukano 2021 Edition is a Combination of Red Wine casks and Manzanilla Sherry Casks.

The Red Wine casks add nice fruity overtones while the Manzanilla Sherry contributes a savory component to the whisky. As with most Koji Whiskies, Umami is present throughout.

Nose: Strawberry, Earl Grey tea, roasted cashews.

Palate: Raw honey, Brazil nuts, Manzanilla Sherry, and Umami.

Finish: Same as palate with more intense honey and roasted cashews

91 pts. – Whisky Advocate

Fukano Whisky 2018 Limited Releases

Fukano Vault Reserve Whisky #1 40.5% ABV

This is a mildly sherry influenced version of the Vault Reserve. Tasting notes include plums, muscadines, sandalwood, cinnamon, sherry with the lightest touch of gunpowder. 5443 bottles produced globally.

Fukano Vault Reserve Whisky #2 40.4% ABV

Tasting notes include apple pie, tobacco, white raisins, white tea, cedarwood, butterscotch and oak. 3,850 bottles produced globally.

Fukano Jikan Whisky 40.4% ABV

This is a limited release to celebrate the rich history of Hitoyoshi, Japan. The blue on the label is the Kuma River. The dark brown is the mountains of the region. The red structure represents the Aoi Aso Shrine originally founded in 806 with over 1200 years of history. The dragons are said to have been lured to the shrine while drinking water at a nearby pond. Junishi Oda is a local artist based in Hitoyoshi. Tasting Notes include soft oak and honey with candied apples. Powdered sugar as well as the lightest touch of sherry is present. The Finish is soft with mild oak. There is a slightly creamy texture. 1,200 bottles produced globally.

Fukano 6000 Whisky 40.4% ABV

Fukano 6000 is the future of whisky with retro flavors. The artist, WhiskyAnorach, has gained a reputation as the personality that links whisky with art and fashion. Her reviews reference classical music and literature. She has crafted whisky themed dresses, multiple prints and other artistic creations inspired by different types of whisky. In her own words, she is “a white belt in hard-hugging in jiu-jitsu and a black belt in verbal assassination”. She is also “the first female artist in America to do a Japanese Whisky label”. Tasting notes include apples, red raisins, dried plums, raw honey, touch of oak, vanilla and toffee. Brown sugar and oak on the nose. 1,200 bottles produced globally.

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