Nikka Tasting Notes

Nikka Coffey Gin 47%

Botanicals: (Japanese) Yuzu, sansho pepper, kabousa, amanatsu, shequasar, (Traditional) juniper, angelica root, coriander, lemon and orange peel, apple juice.

Tasted: Nov 2017

The nose opens with the juniper and pronounced orange. Subtly floral with hints of soft but earthy coriander and pepper. The crisp juniper powers through with time aided by some almost tart lemon. Superbly balanced.

The palate, like nose, begins with the subtly sweet orange and fresh juniper. It becomes fuller as a touch of spirit character comes through, along with coriander, sweet pepper and lemon on the middle.

Kyoto Distillery Tasting Notes

Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin 45.7%

To a rice base spirit the following botanicals are added: Juniper, orris, ginger, bamboo leaves, red perilla, lemon and yuza peel, sansho pepper, kinome leaves, gyokuru green tea and hinoki wood. The botanicals are separated into 6 different categories (base, citrus, tea, spice, fruit, floral and herbal) and distilled separately. The second batch is then blended with the preceding batch to achieve consistency.

Tasted: Jun 2017

The nose is rounded and soft with subtle smoky juniper, leafy herbs, lemon grass, pepper, lemon, pine resin and warm spice. Very aromatic and different with a late hint of earth.

The palate is elegant, delicate, soft and rounded with juniper, lemon grass, pepper and a lovely resiny middle. The sharp lemon notes balances and the finish is long and spicy with pepper, ginger, lemon and some lingering lightly woody spice notes.