An elegant, well-aged, malted rice Whisky aged in ex-Brandy casks.
Fukano Distillery has been operated in Hitoyoshi City since 1823 by five generations of the Fukano family. The current head of the business is Shigeruriku Fukano. Their primary product is Shōchū — an un-aged, lightly distilled spirit usually around 25% ABV. It’s exceptionally popular in Japan and has been produced there since the 16th century. Interestingly, since most of their products are based upon rice, sweet potatoes, and sugar — ingredients low in sulphur — their stills are made of stainless steel.
Fukano’s core Whisky lines are made from rice. But don’t think for a minute that it tastes like Sake. Fukano 10 Year Old is made from malted rice — it makes a huge difference — and is aged for a full decade in Brandy puncheons. What you get from all that is a flavor and aroma profile that can only be described as elegant with silky, light, and complex notes of exotic woods and florals. This makes Fukano 10 Year Old one of the most interesting and uniquely flavorful Whiskies we’ve come across over the last few years.
Smartass Corner: A "puncheon" is a standard barrel used to age Wines and Brandies. The most common size holds eighty-four US gallons (318 liters). It is about 60% larger than a standard Bourbon barrel, or about one-third larger than a hogshead.
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Fukano 10 Year Old and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Japanese Single Malts, like Scotch, are double-distilled in pot stills. Grain Whiskies, on the other hand, are distilled in column stills.
This was a great Whiskey and one of the few my wife has tried and really enjoyed. It is an easy drink and I would suggest this for anyone. It is incredibly smooth on the back end with a nice floral and spice flavor.
Chaz,
This was easy going down! The fruit flavors are prominent and didn't feel a burn from the spice flavor towards the end. The finish is smooth and lingering.
Juan,
Light an easy to drink. It is different. It might need a little bit more of alcohol in it....
Alex,
Extremely drinkable, very unique. Light and sweet on the nose, with a very smooth taste reminiscent of a rice wine or plum wine, but with a distinct woodiness of a whiskey. Definitely some spice coming through too. The finish is strong, and fairly long.
Ericka,
Nice floral scents. A little light and mild for my taste.
Andee,
Fruit forward enjoyable could be easy to drink too much.
Jay,
I enjoyed this the most in the tasting box and will put on my list of possible buys.
Robin,
Smooth and sweet through the finish. A great easy drinking whisky
Duane,
My first Japanese whiskey. Floral and fruity. Fairly decent.
Darryl,
Wow. Soft on the tongue, sweet through the finish. Wonderfully executed. I truly enjoy the departure of this whisky from more oaky versions.
Gregory,
Although the description emphasizes this is not sake flavored it has a noticeable warmed sake note in nose and taste. I think it is complimentary to the overall warmth, spice and marzipan sweetness. Wonderfully smooth with a mellow oak aftertaste.
William,
Spicy warm, without being hot. Very light on the tongue and sweet, almost gives a minty tingle on the pallette with a light orange aftertaste. Good flavor and wouldn't turn down an offer to drink again.
Jeffrey,
Complex with eye opening finishes. You can't stop drinking it.
Anthony,
Smooth and enjoyable
Gregory,
Raisins for sure but pretty soft on the palate.. a very nice sip. Finish is smooth
Bob,
Really good. Fruit front and clean finish. Very nice
John,
Fruity
Larry,
Familiar profile with a mild flavor and mild finish, a little sweet at the end. Almost no burn.
Lori,
I really dig the plum flavor I got with this but it’s a bit pricey for what it is
Matthew,
The nose on this one is almost aggressively sweet, with a frustratingly elusive fruitiness and a hint of cardamom. My immediate impression after the first sip was kheer, with rice, almond, and coconut coming through, and a supple mouth feel. The finish could be a bit a bit longer, but this gets a solid thumbs up from me. A very distinct experience but not just a novelty.
SCOTT,
Sweet, fruity. Hint of spice.
Keaton,
It really is sweet and raisin-y. It’s got that kind of heat that you feel in your gut more than your tongue, so you can enjoy the flavors without singeing your sinuses.
Chris,
Smooth and pleasantly mild. Finish was slightly sweet with a small bite.
jonathan,
not bad. smoother than the typical suntory whisky, but still is a bit sharp for my taste.
Larry,
One of the easiest drinking whiskey I have yet to try, given I have only been hardcore bourbon fan for the last year. This whiskey is good by itself, ice washed out the flavor for me. Fruity start finishes warm and spicy in the gut. Adding this to my wishlist.
guest,
Drawn out sweetness. Plum. Soft.
Christopher,
Super tasty and interesting! Getting green grape, plum, maybe pear, maybe a touch of coconut, marzipan, and maybe even a creme brûlée thing going on. Excellent
Wesley,
I usually prefer bourbon and Irish whiskey to Scotch and Japanese whiskey, but this is great. Not smoky or peaty at all, instead fruity and spicy.
mike,
Easy out of the gate, sweet then a raisen flavor. A soft finish. Urges you to take another sip. Well done.
DYLAN,
Enjoyful. Small hints of plum are enjoyable.
Eben,
First time with Rice Whisky. soft nose. Immediate plum lingering salt and floral. The flavor explodes with complex spice and sweetness! Medium end with light oak and raisin.
Blake,
Very surprising
Eben,
agreed!
KEL,
Amazing, won a blind test for us and three friends with Hakushu 12 and Yamazaki 12. Has a sweetness like sake from the rice.
Interesting citrus and spice notes up front. Wish the finish was more
Interesting.
Nicholas,
My favorite of the three in the tasting pack. Almost like a sake whiskey.
Sara,
Really loved this. Incredibly smooth, delicate flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness. Only downside is the price
Aaron,
Very nice, unique whiskey. It is fruity and dignified, like a concentrated Cabernet mixed with a little plum wine. Great mouth feel and flavor development.
Philip,
Sweet, smooth, a little spice.
Plum and rice, a little spice. A lot of nice flavors. Drinkable and smooth, but the finish fades quickly.
I got this in a tasting box. Very nice dram, I wouldn’t buy it at $99 a bottle, but I would buy for 50 or less.
The Fukano vault 1 is a better fit for my palate.
James,
I was pleasantly surprised! Interestingly fruity with a hint of spicy. I don’t know that I’d drop $100 on a bottle but I’d gladly drink a glass of yours! 🤓
DANIEL,
sweet and Very smooth! loved it!
Lisa,
Loved this whiskey. I think I had a different nose and flavor at every sip. Very smooth......a great sipping whiskey. I can hardly wait for my next bottle.