{"product_id":"fukano-kumamoto-soul-japanese-whisky","title":"Fukano Kumamoto Soul Japanese Whisky","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFukano Kumamoto Soul Japanese Whisky\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rice whisky from one of Japan's oldest family distilleries: Fukano Distillery, founded in 1823 in Hitoyoshi in the Kuma Valley of Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, and run by seven generations of the Fukano family. Bottled at 43.2% ABV (86.4 proof) in a 700mL bottle, it is made the Fukano way — distilled from a combination of malted and un-malted rice in pot stills using koji fermentation, the same tradition behind Kuma shochu, and classified as whisky in the United States. Imported by ImpEx Beverages. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43.2% (86.4 proof)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 700mL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fukano Distillery, Hitoyoshi, Kuma Valley, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan — founded 1823\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Koji rice whisky — distilled from malted and un-malted rice in pot stills\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImporter:\u003c\/strong\u003e ImpEx Beverages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeven Generations of Fukano\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFukano is a shochu distillery that became a whisky distillery — or, depending on how you look at it, never stopped being one. The family has distilled in Hitoyoshi since 1823, in a mountain-ringed town famous for pure water and for Kuma shochu, the region's traditional rice spirit. When the Fukano family turns its rice spirit toward whisky, it keeps the koji fermentation and pot-still distillation that define Kuma shochu, then rests the spirit in oak. The result is a category unto itself: Japan does not classify rice distillate as whisky, but the United States does, which is why this bottle can carry the whisky name. Chris Uhde of California importer ImpEx Beverages has championed these koji whiskies — including Fukano — to American drinkers, and they have built a devoted following among drinkers who want something genuinely unlike Scotch or bourbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFukano's rice whiskies are known for a profile that reads like a meeting point 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. Expect a light-to-medium body, a gently sweet palate with toffee and spice, and a smooth, rounded finish. It is a whisky that rewards slow sipping and an open mind — nothing else on the shelf tastes quite like it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe neat in a tulip glass to catch the delicate rice and floral aromatics, or with a few drops of water to open the honey and spice. It also makes an excellent highball — soda, ice, and a lemon twist — where the clean rice character shines. Pair with sushi, light Japanese dishes, or simply a quiet evening. If you collect \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-whisky\"\u003eJapanese whisky\u003c\/a\u003e, this is one of the most distinctive bottles in the category, and the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vendors?q=Fukano\"\u003eFukano\u003c\/a\u003e line offers several limited editions worth comparing side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Fukano whisky made from rice?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Fukano distills its whisky from a combination of malted and un-malted rice using koji fermentation, the same foundation as Kuma shochu. In Japan it cannot be called whisky, but it is classified and sold as whisky in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Fukano Distillery?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHitoyoshi City, in the Kuma Valley of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. The distillery was founded in 1823 and is run by the Fukano family, now in its seventh generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does koji whisky taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect sweet rice, sake-like florals, honey, brown sugar, dried fruit, and soft oak spice — a lighter, more delicate profile than malt whisky, with a smooth, rounded finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size is the bottle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe bottle is 700mL, bottled at 43.2% ABV (86.4 proof).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a limited edition?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFukano releases its whiskies in small, limited runs — only a few casks are bottled each year — so availability is typically tight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrder Fukano Kumamoto Soul Japanese Whisky online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a rare taste of Kumamoto's 200-year distilling heritage, delivered to your door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Fukano","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67679724830763,"sku":"DM17228L","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1277\/3667\/files\/fukano-kumamoto-soul-600x800.jpg?v=1790897173","url":"https:\/\/www.delmesaliquor.com\/products\/fukano-kumamoto-soul-japanese-whisky","provider":"Del Mesa Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}