Fukano Kumamoto Soul Japanese Whisky
Fukano Kumamoto Soul Japanese Whisky is an 86.4-proof (43.2% ABV) koji rice whisky in a 700mL bottle, distilled from malted and un-malted rice in pot stills at Fukano Distillery — founded 1823 in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, and run by seven generations of the Fukano family. Imported by ImpEx Beverages. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 86.4 proof (43.2% ABV)
- Size: 700mL
- Spirit: koji rice whisky — malted and un-malted rice, koji fermentation, pot-still distillation
- Distillery: Fukano Distillery, Hitoyoshi, Kuma Valley, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan — founded 1823
- Importer: ImpEx Beverages
Two Hundred Years in the Kuma Valley
Before Fukano made whisky, it made Kuma shochu — for two centuries, in a mountain-ringed town famous for pure water and traditional rice spirit. Kumamoto Soul is the flagship expression of that heritage: the same koji fermentation and pot-still methods that define Kuma shochu, turned toward whisky. Because Japanese rules don't recognize rice distillate as whisky, this style exists only because importers like ImpEx Beverages championed it to American drinkers. Browse the Fukano collection and compare it with other Japanese whiskies at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Fukano's rice whiskies are known for a profile that sits between whisky and sake: sweet steamed rice, sake-like florals, honey and brown sugar, dried orchard fruit, and soft oak spice rather than heavy barrel character. The finish carries the Kumamoto region's signature saline minerality.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a tulip glass is the purist's pour — the koji aromatics reward attention. It also makes a remarkably clean highball, and a splash of water softens the spice for easy sipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is koji whisky?
Whisky-style spirit fermented with koji — the mold used to ferment rice for sake and shochu — then pot-distilled. Fukano distills from malted and un-malted rice this way.
How old is the Fukano Distillery?
The Fukano family has distilled in Hitoyoshi since 1823, seven generations, making it one of Japan's oldest family distilleries.
Is Kumamoto Soul chill filtered?
Fukano bottles its limited releases non-chill filtered, consistent with the distillery's style.
Two centuries of distilling in every glass — order Fukano Kumamoto Soul Japanese Whisky online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.