Fukano Vault Reserve 2 - 2018 Rice Whisky

Last Updated 9/15/2020

Fukano Vault Reserve 2 is the one of four limited release whiskies exported in 2018 from the craft distillery. Like the other Fukano rice whiskies– it started life as undiluted (genshu) honkaku (once distilled) Hitoyoshi rice shochu. A variety of casks aged the rice spirit from 3 to 11 years and were blended to create this unique and elegant koji whisky.

Like Vault Reserve 1: Vault Reserve 2 has a nutty (roasted cashew, walnut) and citrusy profile. It’s a little sweeter, rounder, and spicier though. Notes include sea salt caramel, caramel apple, fresh cedar, fig, lime peel, fresh peach, brown sugar, coconut, and vanilla. Overall, Fukano Vault Reserve 2 is smooth and soft rice whisky with an aromatic profile and hints of ex-Bourbon cask maturation.

a blue and white bottle of whisky in a brightly lit bar — Fukano Whisky in its Native Environment: the Izakaya

Fukano Vault Reserve 2 Pairing and Service

Serve Fukano Vault Reserve 2 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 really works. Muddle some ginger in there too if you really want to live life on the edge. The classic Old Fashioned, or the muddled version, works very well with Fukano whisky too.

Fukano of all types lends itself to the classic Whisky Highball. Don’t be shy when expressing that lemon! Vault Reserve 2 has an orange/lime character that marries with the lemon oil. 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 mint to open up the aromatics. Lastly, this particular Fukano with its Bourbon barrel influence is well-suited for making fruity and smooth Mint Juleps.

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 will work with Vault Reserve 2, though I prefer the more Sherry-influenced Reserve 1 release. Cheese and chocolate after your meal will also offer a good opportunity for an elevated dining experience with Fukano.

a blue and white bottle of whisky in a wooden room — Bourbon Barrel Influence with Nutty, Fruity Rice Shochu Traits

Fukano Vault Reserve 2 Tech and Production Info

Fukano Whisky “Vault Reserve 2”

Ingredients: Rice, Rice Koji

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

3,850 bottles produced

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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.