The Japanese have always had a distinct process and taste to their spirits, starting with whisky. The success of Japanese whisky across the world has encouraged some distillers in the country to move into the gin market. In 2016, the Kyoto distillery laid claim to the first artisanal gin products, with the signature flavor being Ki No Bi. The Japanese methodology of gin-making involves distilling the botanical ingredients separately before combining them in the final phase.
What is the Best Japanese Gin?
The 2019 World Gin Awards found that Japan’s relatively young gin industry had created some real gems. The aforementioned Kyoto Distillery took the award for best Japanese Old Tom Gin with Ki No Bi. Ki No Bi also won best London Dry Gin. Sakurao took the award for best Contemporary Gin. Other Japanese gins that went global included products from Nikka and Suntory, products that are sold in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Of the brands that are currently on sale in the global marketplace, Roku from Suntory is arguably the most popular. The name ‘Roku’ means six in Japanese and represents the six botanicals that craft the balanced taste of the gin.
Where to Buy Japanese Gin?
Japanese gin can be found all over the Internet, but to get the great stuff at a good price, you have to know where to look. We have curated a list of top online retailers from around the world that sell the best Japanese gin. These are the good people we know for sure will give you top-notch service and great prices. Most importantly, these are trusted sources that our highly knowledgeable readers all love, so you know that you are always working with the best in the business!