Awayuki Gin is distilled with three rare kinds of strawberries: Awayuki, White Pearl, and Kotoka Strawberries. Each are prized on their own, often for their aesthetics. What does that mean for berries that don’t meet that high bar for appearance in a luxury setting? That’s what we have gin for.
The three berries used in this gin are somewhat unique. The white pearl is said to taste of pineapple and vanilla. Kotoka strawberries are bold, brightly hued and are quintessentially strawberry— only more intense. And Finally, the gin’s namesake are said to be slightly floral with very little acidity.
In Awayuki Gin, all are distilled, so their distinctive colors are all gone but their unique flavors remain.
Tasting notes
Color: Perfectly clear
Aroma: Floral berries, with notes of nectarine, cloudberry, apricot and rose. It’s lovely and fruit-forward, clearly strawberry but not jammy.
Flavor: The gin character— by that I mean some green juniper, dry coriander and a hint of angelica— lay a traditional bed where the floral and fruit notes play. It’s nowhere near as sweet as you might expect based on the name or the aroma.
The strawberries come through on the mid-palate towards the finish. I get hints of pineapple, melon, and of course strawberry. But it leans towards the green side, perhaps more fresh, unripe strawberry.
Towards the back, on the edges of the palate juniper remains with some slight spice.
Cocktails and suggested serves
While some obvious ideas come to mind— perhaps a dessert drink like a Ramos Gin Fizz or a summertime Gin and Lemonade, where Awayuki distinguishes itself from other flavored gins is that it works in a wide range of cocktails. You can almost use it behind the bar as a workhorse pouring gin— as long as your customer wants floral and fruit notes.
For example, it makes for a stunning Negroni where the berry plays perfectly with the bitter/sweetness of Campari. It might be the single best drink with it.
The only things I might avoid? Onions and olives. So make it a Martini with a twist.
Overall Awayuki Gin
Awayuki Gin is proof that you can have the best of both worlds: the best parts of flavored gin that celebrate a unique and unusual botanical, and the best parts of gin, where juniper and coriander remain at the center.
I will be clear— this is still a flavored gin. The strawberries in all of their evocative forms are the stars. However, the core botanicals are there and the spirit isn’t just the better for it. It’s quite outstanding for it.
Fans of more traditional gins will want to look elsewhere. However, if you drank Pink Gin a decade ago and are now looking for a grown up take on that flavor, or you are a fan of Hendrick’s bold fruit-forward expansions, you’re going to love this gin.
I was surprised in the best way— I enjoy sipping it neat but would not be afraid to use it behind the bar.
Highly recommended in its category