Japan, Which Makes World-Class Whiskeys, Also Produce Craft Gin Spirits

And now the country is making inroads into the worldwide craft gin scene.  Entrepreneurial distillers are beginning to emerge with premium gins featuring quintessentially Japanese botanicals.

Here are some of the best:

KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin

KI NO BI is Japan’s trendiest artisan gin from the country’s first craft gin distillery. It uses a rice spirit base and locally sourced botanicals including yuzu (Japanese citrus), red perilla, and gyokuro (premium green tea). The gin is made with peerless water sourced from the famous sake–brewing district, Fushimi.

Roku Gin – Suntory

Nothing says “Japan” like cherry blossoms. This gin is uber-Japanese, with botanicals that include, cherry blossom, cherry leaves, and green tea.

Craft Gin Okayama – Miyashita Sake Brewery

This is a rural sake brewery’s foray into gin distilling. Its botanicals include Japanese peach, but what really makes this oak-barrel-aged gin unique is its smoky fragrance and golden color.

Nikka Coffey Gin – Asahi Breweries

Nikka Coffey Gin is beverage giant Asahi’s contribution to the world of gin. It uses a base of corn and malt distillate and is flavored with 11 botanicals including yuzu and sansho pepper.