Competition In Japanese Gin Builds With Exotic Botanicals

Japan’s “first artisanal gin” was launched last year, by the wonderful Kyoto distillery. Yet, it was recently, in 2017, that Japanese gin really went global, with two gins by Japanese whisky giants, Nikka and Suntory.

The Suntory Roku and Nikka Coffey gin, both featuring Japanese botanical-heavy recipes, launched first in Japan, and more recently reached Western shores. Both have been with us here at dekantā since summer, when they dropped in Japan.

Popularity surrounding Japanese gin is growing fast, both domestically and globally. Following Japanese whisky’s success, the world expects nothing but quality from the country’s producers. Read up on Japanese gin with our recent interview in PUNCH magazine.

Surprisingly, the last two weeks have seen two new gins launch in Japan, adding further excitement to the booming industry.

Kozue Gin – Japanese Umbrella Pine Infuence

By Nakano BC (biochemical) comes the Kozue gin. Released on November 1st, the Kozue is an exciting new release in the Japanese gin category. While the company has produced other liquors before, including sake and shochu, this is their first venture in gin.

The expression features several botanicals local to Wakayama Prefecture, where it is made, including mandarin peel, lemon peel, and sansho. The juniper used is imported from Europe.

What really sets Kozue apart, however, is the addition of Japanese umbrella pine (koyamaki). The company proudly states that the Kozue is the world’s first gin made with koyamaki.

The nose brings abundant pine and pepper spice, while the palate rolls out with citrus, pine needles, and cinnamon. For a 47% ABV release, it’s extremely smooth and drinkable.

Only 100 bottles were released, with more to follow. We’ll have it up for sale soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Masahiro Okinawa Gin – Okinawan Goya Influence

This release was only announced yesterday, on November 10th.

Made by the Masahiro distillery, which has been making Awamori for over a century, the Masahiro Okinawa gin is the very first to come out of Okinawa.

Perfectly capturing the tropical climate of the Southern Japanese island, the botanical list features a variety of local ingredients. Shequasar, guava leaves, and Balinese long pepper. The recipe also includes goya, the anti-aging, cucumber-shaped bitter melon from Okinawa, and a type of hibiscus called roselle.

Gin is very new to Okinawa, where the historical spirit of Awamori is produced. With an exotic recipe and unique production in pot still as opposed to columns, popularity for this small-batch gin is expected to soar.

We’ll have the bottle up very soon, just in time for Christmas shopping.

Japan Gin Association’s Gin-Posium

With excitement building around Japanese gin, the Gin-Posium event by the Japan Gin Association couldn’t be coming at a better time.

Over five hours, on December 3rd at the Hotel East 21 in Tokyo, Japanese gin will be under the spotlight. Starting with seminars and special guests, and then moving on to tastings and food pairings, the event is expected to educate and inform guests on the growth and future of Japanese craft gin.

While the larger producers are going global, smaller producers are working hard to create their own, unique version of Japanese gin.

Mars Shinshu, better known for producing whisky, recently released the Wa Bi gin made at their new Tsunuki distillery.

The Okayama gin takes a different route, as an expression aged in oak, made by the famous Miyashita sake brewing company.

Innovation is a huge part of the growing industry. As competition rises, it will only become harder for each gin to break apart from the rest, with unique production practices and ingredients.The Kyoto distillery is taking a great approach to innovation, evident in the amazing ex-Karuizawa cask-aged Ki Noh Bi, released in September.

In the land of Japan, gin is rising as brightly as the sun.