Gin has long been a staple in the world of spirits, renowned for its versatility and complex flavor profiles. However, the recent resurgence of craft distilleries has brought forth a new era of gin innovation, with Japan emerging as a hidden gem in this flourishing landscape. One such exceptional offering is the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin, crafted by the esteemed Kaikyō Distillery in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Gin Characteristics
Gin, at its core, is a distilled spirit that derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries. However, the depth and nuance of a gin’s character are largely determined by the array of botanicals used in its production. While traditional gin recipes often feature a handful of classic botanicals, the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin takes a more adventurous approach, blending three time-honored European botanicals with five uniquely Japanese counterparts.
The distillation process employed by the Kaikyō Distillery is equally meticulous, with each botanical being vacuum-distilled separately to preserve the purity and subtlety of their individual aromas. This innovative technique, commonly used in the luxury perfume industry, ensures that the essence of each ingredient is fully captured and harmoniously integrated into the final spirit.
The botanicals selected for the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin include the traditional trio of juniper, coriander, and angelica root, as well as five distinctly Japanese elements: yuzu, sansho pepper, shiso, green tea, and cherry blossom. This inspired fusion of Eastern and Western flavors creates a gin that is both familiar and exhilaratingly new.
Hyogo Region
The 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin draws its name and inspiration from the geographical coordinates that intersect Akashi City, the home of the Kaikyō Distillery. Situated in the Hyogo Prefecture, this region is renowned for its temperate climate, diverse terrain, and abundance of high-quality, locally sourced botanicals.
The Hyogo Prefecture, nestled along the Seto Inland Sea, enjoys a unique microclimate that is both temperate and moderated by the surrounding waters. This ideal environment allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of aromatic botanicals, many of which have been carefully selected and incorporated into the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin.
The region’s diverse terrain, ranging from rugged mountains to lush coastal plains, provides the distillery with access to a rich tapestry of locally sourced ingredients. From the citrusy yuzu to the peppery sansho, the botanicals used in this gin reflect the terroir of the Hyogo Prefecture, adding depth and authenticity to the final product.
135° East Gin
The 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin is a masterful expression of the Kaikyō Distillery’s commitment to innovation and quality. Inspired by the blend of Eastern and Western cultures that defined Japan’s Taisho period, this gin showcases a unique and unexpected flavor profile that challenges the traditional boundaries of the spirit.
On the nose, the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin presents a harmonious bouquet of citrus, spice, and herbaceous notes. The yuzu and shiso impart a refreshing, almost minty aroma that is complemented by the subtle earthy tones of green tea and the delicate floral notes of cherry blossom.
The palate is equally captivating, with the juniper and coriander providing a familiar gin backbone that is then elevated by the more unusual Japanese botanicals. The sansho pepper adds a gentle, tingling warmth, while the yuzu and shiso lend a zesty, almost saline-like freshness to the spirit.
The finish is remarkably smooth and well-balanced, with the various flavors seamlessly transitioning and lingering on the tongue. The 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin manages to strike a delicate equilibrium between the classic and the novel, creating a gin that is both comfortingly familiar and exhilaratingly unique.
Gin Appreciation
The versatility of the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of cocktail applications. Its bright, citrusy notes and subtle spice lend themselves particularly well to classic gin-based drinks, such as the Gin & Tonic or the Negroni.
For those seeking a more innovative approach, the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin can also be used to craft unique and unexpected cocktails. The yuzu and shiso flavors pair beautifully with sake or shochu in a Japanese-inspired Highball, while the cherry blossom and green tea notes complement the herbaceous botanicals in a Martini or Vesper.
Beyond cocktails, the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin can also be enjoyed on its own, either neat or over ice, allowing the full complexity of its flavor profile to shine. The spirit’s balanced and harmonious nature makes it an excellent companion to a wide range of culinary delights, from delicate sushi to hearty yakitori skewers.
The rise of craft gin distilleries, both in Japan and around the world, has sparked a renewed interest in the history and culture surrounding this versatile spirit. The 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin is a testament to the innovation and creativity that are driving the gin renaissance, showcasing the boundless possibilities that emerge when traditional techniques are combined with a bold, pioneering spirit.
Gin Review
To fully appreciate the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin, we employed a comprehensive review methodology that considered a range of sensory attributes and overall impressions.
Aroma and Appearance: The gin presents a crystal-clear appearance, with a vibrant, almost neon-tinged hue that hints at the liveliness of its botanical composition. On the nose, the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin delivers a captivating blend of citrus, spice, and herbaceous notes, with the yuzu and shiso taking center stage and the green tea and cherry blossom providing subtle, complementary accents.
Taste and Finish: The palate is equally engaging, with the classic juniper and coriander flavors serving as a solid foundation for the more unconventional Japanese botanicals. The sansho pepper imparts a gentle, tingling warmth that gradually builds, while the yuzu and shiso lend a refreshing, almost saline-like quality to the spirit. The finish is remarkably smooth and well-balanced, with the various flavors transitioning seamlessly and lingering on the tongue.
Overall Impression: The 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin is a truly exceptional offering that pushes the boundaries of what a gin can be. The Kaikyō Distillery’s meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to distillation have resulted in a spirit that is both comfortingly familiar and exhilaratingly novel. This gin’s versatility, both in cocktail applications and as a standalone sipping spirit, makes it a must-try for any gin enthusiast or adventurous imbiber.
Overall, the 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin receives a well-deserved rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, solidifying its place as a standout example of the craft gin movement and a testament to the Hyogo region’s rich botanical bounty.