KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin

Profile: The KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin at a glance

• KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin - When a Zen garden is bottled
• Japanese premium gin: Made by the Kyoto Distillery, Japan's first gin distillery
• Name: KI NO BI means "The beauty of the seasons"
• Alcohol base:Made with a creamy, distilled rice alcohol
• Botanicals:With regional ingredients such as yuzu, hinoki, sansho pepper, and gyokuro tea
• Winner of the gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2017

Portrait: What makes the KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin special

Some gins want to be cool. Others want to stand out. And then there's KI NO BI – the gin that simply stands elegantly, takes a deep breath, and wins your heart (and maybe even your home bar) with a polite nod. The name means "The Beauty of the Seasons" – and yes, as poetic as that sounds, it's also meant seriously.

This Japanese delight is produced at the Kyoto Distillery, Japan's first independent gin distillery. And because Kyoto isn't just any place, but the cultural soul of the country, it's almost logical that this isn't just any run-of-the-mill gin, but a liquid meditation with a Japanese passport.

The base? Not industrial alcohol, but creamy rice alcohol so silky that even a kimono would be envious. Only the finest of the finest ingredients are added: yuzu, hinoki wood, sansho pepper, bamboo leaves, ginger, and gyokuro tea. Sound like a spa menu? It's gin.

The fact that this is no fluke is proven by the gold medal at the 2017 International Wine & Spirits Competition. And honestly: A gin that not only sounds meditative but also wins awards? It must be doing something right – even if it's just that it was born in Kyoto.

Conclusion: KI NO BI is not a gin for loud parties – more for quiet enthusiasm.

Recommendation: Ideal for pure enjoyment or in minimalist cocktails, where its delicate nature can fully shine.

Tasting Notes: This is how the KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin tastes like

• Nose: delicate, clear, and complex - fine citrus aromas of yellow yuzu open the bouquet, followed by a cool freshness reminiscent of juniper and bamboo leaves - subtle nuances of gyokuro tea, a hint of ginger, and a warm wood note from Japanese hinoki develop in the background - elegant, balanced, and composed with typical Japanese restraint
• Palate: dry, clear, and very structured - the botanicals are finely interwoven - nothing is intrusive, everything works together - yuzu brings a fresh acidity, sansho pepper provides a light, citrus-like bite, while ginger root contributes warmth and spice - the creamy rice alcohol carries the whole thing gently and silky - without spiciness, but with depth and balance - a complex, yet calm Taste experience
• Finish: Long-lasting, dry, and delicate - the tea notes remain subtle in the background, accompanied by a fine, slightly peppery warmth - the citrus aftertaste is clear, but never intrusive - a harmonious finish that lingers rather than burns - like a final gong in a temple