This Kyoto Ki No Jyu Series 1 Gyokuro gin is a new limited edition release from the popular Kyoto gin distillery, situated in Japan’s old capital. The distillery have previously gained notoriety for working with Horii Shichimeien, a famous tea farmer from Uji, to create delicious expressions unlike any others on the market. They have done so again for this release but this time they have went one step further by using Okuno Yama, a strain of Gyokuro tea, grown in Uji’s oldest tea garden (dating back and widely considered to be the best green tea in Japan. This has helped to create a distinctive gin that brings an incredible range of notes and drinking experience that is well worth savouring and unlike anything that came before it.
But it’s not only the liquid that was given such love and care, the design is equally as luxurious. The label designs have been created in collaboration with KIRA KARACHO, part of the KARACHO karakami atelier, founded in Kyoto in 1624. The stunning label is hand-printed on Kyoto-made washi paper made from a hand-carved woodblock. The printed washi paper is then divided into six pieces and applied to each bottle, resulting in an elegant, classy and all-round beautiful appearance.
If you’re a fan of gin, this is a must have expression. With only 108 bottles produced, all exclusively for the Japanese market, you’re not likely to see anything like it ever again.