Named after the 135° east meridian line which runs near the Akashi distillery in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture, this artisanal gin represents the successful union of traditional London Dry botanicals with uniquely Japanese ingredients. 

Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa combines juniper, angelica, and coriander with locally-sourced Japanese botanicals such as sencha, yuzu, shiso leaf, ume, and sansho pepper.  The result is a beautifully structured blend (at 84 proof) that reveals many flavorful notes in an orderly sequence, with an incredibly persistent herbal finish that is sure to enhance your cocktails.  The inviting juniper and peppery spice notes are softened by the round yuzu and ume fruit and lengthened by the savory green herbal botanicals like sencha and shiso leaf.  

The Kaikyo Distillery utilizes a vacuum distillation process (similar to that used in the perfume industry) to preserve the subtle aromas of the botanicals, each of which is distilled separately (from 100% grain neutral spirits) and blended before being “crowned by a splash of sake distillate.”  Try this well-crafted gin for a new and inspiring (yet affordable) take on the London Dry model.

Try with: 

This gin excels in nearly all cocktail categories, but try it in martini variations (like the Perfect Martini, Dry Martini or Hanky Panky) where the floral notes from dry or bianco vermouth enhance the gin’s herbal expressions, and the fruit and spice of sweet vermouth play nicely with the gin’s yuzu elements.  Bonus points if you can add shiso or yuzu bitters from The Japanese Bitters.

Cocktail pairings:

G&T / Highball variations: 4/5

Martini variations: 4.5/5

Shaken cocktails: 4/5

Negroni variations: 4/5

Gin Review:  4.5/5