Fukano Whisky (2017 Edition)

Fukano Distillery Whisky 2017 Edition OVERALL SCORE 80/100 Key Information: Distillery/Blender: Fukano Distillery Type: Japanese Whisky Age Statement: NAS Proof: 85.6 Composition: 100% Rice Tasting Date: 04/14/2018 Nose: 18/20 Honey, Jasmine, Shingo. Kumquat orangey-fruit character that transitions to a tropical jackfruit as it sits. Reminiscent of the warm rocks of a hotspring. So much jasmine and orange blossom. It’s like a mochi house, with lots of rice scent. Slight iodine. Initial Taste: 12/15 Alcohol warmth and very noticeably heady eand estery… but it lets through bright and zesty orange blossom and jasmine, as well as black pu erh tea sweetened with mild summer honey. Body/Mouthfeel: 7/10 Very light, but with a sweet oak intensity that keeps it from being thin, and remains interesting on the palate. Water doesn’t help. Hot water makes this a dream to enjoy and blooms forth a creamy texture. Taste: 14/15 Some chewing reveals sansho peppercorn, floral and citric terpenes. The heat makes it difficult to pull other notes that hide within. Water reveals soft flesh of delicate lychee… But serving oyuwari style with 150 Farenheit water makes this a flavor explosion! The jasmine blasts out, bringing with it chrysanthemum and the deep nuances of a well-aged pu erh tea. Super complex. Finish: 15/20 Super dry. And yet, it does give you a pleasing Kentucky hug… more appropriately, a red face?? Barrel spice is big time through the entirety of the finish. Very low char, but there’s a light toast character. New and young wood. Again, giving this some hot water, it doesn’t lengthen the finish much, but it does make the finish silky and creamy, and allows the fresh and soft lychee fruit notes to persist until the end. Value: 6/10 This is hard to value. It’s super unique in the market, but at the same time, for in the $70 arena, its drinkability on any occasion and the necessity of hot water on serving make this much less accessible. Overall: 8/10 Overall, this is hard to evaluate, being such a unique whiskey. If you like good sake, this will definitely be a pleasure. Oyuwari style serving is a must. It diverges greatly from most other whiskey categories and profiles. Given a chance, and taking into account it’s unique position, I must say, it is very good, and quite memorable; it might not stand against similar single malts at its price point, but if you’re looking for the certain floral notes this whisky bears, you would be wont to find them elsewhere in such a composed package.

It's certainly subtle- it has a sugary, fruity taste that develops into a clearly minty flavor. The rice character is certainly apparent, especially after the initial tastes, it's novel, but this is undoubtedly a whiskey - the aroma is whiskey, the charred barrel notes are certainly present- a hint of caramel, perhaps vanilla, some dry wood in the aftertaste following the rice influence.

Struggling to classify this as whisky. I'm leaning towards barrel-aged sake. The floral notes are prominent not only on the nose but also on the palate. Abundant tropical and botanical elements, leading to hints of oak. Two companions I shared this with found it reminiscent of Chardonnay, and another, who isn't a whisky enthusiast, indicated they could enjoy it.

A wonderfully light whiskey that is well-suited for drinking neat. It has a delicate, pure sake and cherry blossom aroma with a hint of toastiness. The flavor profile includes vanilla, pepper, and plum, with some floral notes. It's certainly a distinctive whiskey, though perhaps not the most captivating.

The pleasant oak aroma greets you with something familiar, but halfway through your swallow, you enjoy the sweet taste of wine that concludes each sip you can afford of this spirit, as it is pricey, but your palate will urge you to continue purchasing it.

Very sharp alcohol flavor. No distinctive notes.