Japan

Japan’s gin industry has blossomed into a distinctive and refined sector, blending traditional craftsmanship with local botanicals to create unique flavor profiles. Two distilleries exemplify this fusion of tradition and innovation:

Kyoto Distillery – KI NO BI

Established in 2015, Kyoto Distillery introduced KI NO BI (“The Beauty of the Seasons”), Japan’s first dedicated gin distillery. Utilizing a rice-based spirit and pure Fushimi water, KI NO BI incorporates local botanicals such as yuzu, sanshō pepper, and gyokuro tea.

Suntory – Roku Gin

Suntory’s Roku Gin, meaning “six” in Japanese, showcases six native botanicals: sakura flower, sakura leaf, yuzu peel, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, and sanshō pepper. Each is harvested at its seasonal peak, embodying the Japanese concept of “shun.”