Fukano Vault Reserve 1- Rice Whisky

Last Updated 9/15/2020

Fukano Vault Reserve 1 is one of four limited release whiskies exported in 2018 from the craft distillery. Like other Fukano whiskies, it started life as undiluted (genshu) honkaku (once distilled) Kumamoto rice shochu. A variety of casks aged the rice spirit from 3 to 11 years, and were blended in 2018 to create this unique koji whisky.

Vault Reserve 1 tastes has a nutty (almond, walnut) and savory profile– the result of ex-Sherry cask and the rice shochu base. It’s lightweight but earthy. This Fukano has an elevated aromatic intensity characterized by notes of dried leaved, hay, wet concrete, charred oak, dried mango, white peach, lemon peel, and orange zest. A whiff of sharper alcohol aroma was also present when I reviewed this rice whisky. It wasn’t harsh– but I didn’t detect it on the other three 2018 Fukano releases. Overall, I’m a fan of Fukano Whisky, and Vault Reserve 1 didn’t change that. It’s a solid rice whisky that I recommend for fans of Japanese whisky or for the rarer shochu geek.

a bottle of Japanese whisky in a well-lit bar — The Easiest to Find 2018 Fukano Whisky Release

Fukano Vault Reserve 1 Pairing & Service

Serve Fukano Vault Reserve 1 neat, rocks, or mizuwari. Like other Fukano whiskies– you could even add hot water to make a whisky take on oyuwari or make this rice whisky into a Hot Toddy! It works. The classic Old Fashioned, or the muddled version, works very well with Fukano whisky. The Highball is a mainstay treatment for Japanese whisky– and for shochu as well. Fukano Whisky of all types lends itself towards this classic. Don’t be shy when expressing that lemon! The Forest Fragrance sub-style of Highball is even better. Do everything the same, but also add a generous bouquet of mint tops as a garnish. Clap, slap, or talk dirty to the the mint to open open the aromatics.

Food pairing rice shochu-based whisky is a little easier than with your standards malt-based whisky. Pork, duck, and heavier chicken-based dishes are a good starting point. Raw oysters are a surprising match that works based on the umami of Vault Reserve 1 and it’s modest smoky, mineral background notes.

red bottle of Japanese whisky in a wooden room — One of the Original Shochu-Based Whiskies

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Fukano Vault Reserve 1 Product Info

Ingredients: Rice, Rice Koji

ABV: 40.5% Age: NAS; blend of 3-11 year aged whisky

5,443 bottles produced

The Fukano Distillery

Distillery: Fukano Shuzo 深野酒造 Location: Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto

Official Site (Japanese)

This small distillery resides within the fertile rice-growing Hitoyoshi Basin 人吉盆地 of Kumamoto. They primarily produce rice shochu, or more specifically– Kuma-jochu 熊焼酎. The facilities house a number of large clay pots, which they use for aging some of their shochu. Their rice whiskies are aged in a variety of oak casks– producing a number of unique and complex whiskies.