Following the boom of craft beer and craft whiskey, a type of alcoholic drink called "craft gin" is showing signs of becoming popular. Even in Japan, we often see craft gin being sold more and more in liquor stores and supermarkets.
But what exactly is craft gin?
Here we will explain what craft gin is, what kind of alcohol it is, and what brands are available . Please use this as a reference.
What is craft gin? What are its characteristics and how does it differ from regular gin?
What is Craft Gin?
Craft gin is a type of alcoholic beverage called "gin."
Gin is a type of alcoholic beverage categorized as a spirit (distilled alcoholic beverage) , and is characterized by its flavor, which is added with botanicals such as juniper berries, herbs, and spices. It has an alcohol content of nearly 40% and is often used as a cocktail base.
Craft gin refers to gin that is made with particular care by the gin maker . Gin made by distilleries that respect the region and traditions according to their own policies and use botanicals that make the most of the local ingredients is called craft gin.
The term craft gin itself does not have a clear definition . However, as the word "craft" suggests, it is made with skill and care, like a work of art.
Generally, they are produced by small-scale distilleries using creative ingenuity, and in the case of Japanese craft gin, for example, some use ingredients such as yuzu and Japanese pepper. With their unique flavors and aromas, they have been gaining a lot of attention around the world in recent years.
The appeal of gin. What are craft gin and premium gin? 15 recommended brandsIt started in the UK and is now a trend in Japan
The term craft gin only started to become a global trend relatively recently, around 2010.
Although gin has long been a beloved drink around the world, its popularity has unfortunately come to an end. Even in the UK, the birthplace of gin, a certain amount of it was still produced, but it was sometimes called "outdated" and could not compete with the popularity of other alcoholic drinks.
However, from the late 1980s, fashionable gins with fresh tastes and flavors such as "Bombay Sapphire" began to appear, and gradually, the popularity of gin in the UK began to recover.
Then in 2008, a major turning point came for gin in the UK . Originally, only large distilleries were allowed to produce gin, but in 2008 the law was changed to allow small distilleries to obtain licenses to produce gin .
This sparked the creation of many distilleries in the UK and the rise of the craft gin boom, which eventually spread to other European countries and the US, and many different kinds of gin began to be produced around the world.
The boom is spreading throughout Japan, and various kinds of gin have started to appear from the late 2010s to around 2020. The environment surrounding gin is becoming more and more lively, with the opening of Japan's first craft gin distillery, Kyoto Distillery, known for its "Ki No Bi" brand.
It is said that there are currently over 100 gin distilleries, both large and small. Some of these distilleries are high-end craft gins that sell for high prices, and gin has become a popular alcoholic beverage among alcohol fans.
How to choose craft gin! Pay attention to the country of origin and flavor
There is no clear definition for craft gin, so there are a wide variety of bottles available. To find your favorite craft gin from the many available, pay attention to the following points.
1. Pay attention to the country and place of production
Craft gin is made in countries all over the world, so to find your favorite, it's a good idea to look at the country or region where it is produced.
For example, if you are choosing from overseas gins, you can't go wrong with the classic British gin. There are also gins made using traditional techniques, as well as gins made using techniques used to make other distilled spirits, such as fruit brandy.
"Dry gin" made in London is particularly famous, and is sometimes called London gin or English gin.
Other famous overseas gins include "Genever" from the Netherlands, " Steinhäger" from Germany, and "Old Tom Gin," which has a slightly sweet taste with added sugar.
On the other hand, if you want to try something with a Japanese character, we recommend Japanese craft gin . Gin is made all over Japan, so choose one that suits the occasion, such as a gin from your favorite place, a place that you have a special attachment to, or your hometown.
2. Compare botanicals and flavors
The taste and aroma of craft gin varies greatly depending on the botanicals used. By comparing what botanicals are used and what unique flavors and aromas each gin has, it will be easier to find your favorite.
The orthodox flavor is a colorless, transparent "dry gin." In addition to the juniper berries that are always used, cardamom, cinnamon, lemon peel, and orange peel are often added.
In addition to dry gin, there are also fruity gins made from grapes and apples, citrus flavors featuring lemon and orange, and peppery spicy gins.
3. Pay attention to price range and affordability
Craft gin is becoming increasingly popular, with bottles at higher price ranges and limited edition products appearing. Let's compare the price ranges and affordability to suit the occasion in which you want to drink it.
If you're looking for a brand to drink on a daily basis, we recommend craft gin, which can be purchased at convenience stores and supermarkets. Meanwhile, limited edition products are also popular as gifts or for special occasions.
7 Recommended Japanese Craft Gins That Are Gaining Popularity
From here, we will introduce some recommended bottles for those looking for craft gin. We have collected "Japanese Craft Gin", which Japan is proud of among craft gins, so please use it as a reference.
1. Kyoto Distillery Kinobi Kyoto Dry Gin
- Place of Origin: Kyoto, Japan
- Botanicals: Juniper berries, orris, red pine, yuzu, lemon, green tea (gyokuro), ginger, red shiso, bamboo leaves, Japanese pepper (fruit), tree buds
- Alcohol content: 45%
- Price: 700ml approx. 4,500 yen (tax included)
Kyoto Distillery is the first craft gin distillery in Japan. They produce a variety of gins, with KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin being the most standard of them all.
This dry gin is made with rice spirits and Japanese botanicals such as gyokuro and yuzu . Rather than combining 11 types of botanicals, it is made using a special method in which each is distilled according to its own characteristics and then blended.
This is how KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin is made, allowing you to enjoy the clear, fresh nuances of yuzu, as well as ginger and a hint of gyokuro.
2. Suntory ROKU
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Botanical types: cherry blossoms, cherry leaves, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, Japanese pepper, yuzu
- Alcohol content: 47%
- Price: 700ml 4,400 yen (tax included)
This is a popular gin from Suntory. It is made using six typically Japanese botanicals, including cherry blossoms, cherry leaves, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, sansho pepper, and yuzu.
It has a smooth mouthfeel and elegant taste that is easy for Japanese people to drink. The gorgeous aroma and sweetness reminiscent of the four seasons of Japan harmonize with the sharpness that is characteristic of gin .
It is available in many stores and is easy to purchase. In addition to the 700ml bottle, there is also a 200ml bottle that you can try easily, and it is a popular brand that is sold at convenience stores.
3. Nikka Cafe Gin
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Botanical types: Juniper berry, yuzu, sweet orange, kabosu, Japanese pepper, etc.
- Alcohol content: 47%
- Price: 700ml 4,950 yen (tax included)
This gin is made using a cafe-style continuous still owned by Nikka Whisky, which is rare worldwide . The freshness of Japanese citrus fruits is mixed with the spiciness of Japanese pepper.
It is a rich, sweet gin that is easy to drink. Cafe vodka and whiskey with the same label design are also available, making it a highly popular bottle among collectors.
4. Echigo Medicinal Herbs THE HERBALIST YASO
- Production area: Niigata, Japan
- Botanicals: 20 types including juniper berries, cedar leaves, coriander seeds, licorice, spring turmeric, jasmine flowers, and fennel.
- Alcohol content: 45%
- Price: 700ml 6,380 yen (tax included)
This is a craft gin made from Echigo herbs in Niigata that has been researching wild plant enzymes for over 40 years. It uses the alcohol produced during the research into wild plants as a by-product and has built a unique brand.
The plant fermentation liquid is made using 80 different ingredients. After alcohol distillation, botanicals are added and the liquid is distilled again.
It is a talented whisky that also won a gold medal at the Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition.
5. Sada Souji Shoten Akayane AKAYANE CRAFT GIN
- Production area: Kagoshima, Japan
- Botanicals: Juniper berries, Japanese pepper
- Alcohol content: 45%
- Price: 720ml 5,500 yen (tax included)
AKAYANE is a craft gin brand made in Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima. It was launched in 2018 by Sada Souji Shoten, which was originally involved in the authentic shochu "Fujisai" and "Seikou Udoku" .
This bottle allows you to enjoy the aroma of ripe red Japanese pepper and the mellow aroma derived from Japanese pepper. It is popular not only to mix it with soda, but also to mix it with hot water as a hot gin style drink.
6. Honbo Shuzo Japanese GIN Wa Bijin
- Production area: Kagoshima, Japan
- Botanicals: Juniper berries, coriander seeds, yuzu, hetsuka orange, lemon, kumquat, kesen, shell ginger, green tea, ginger, shiso
- Alcohol content: 47%
- Price: 700ml 4,180 yen (tax included)
This is a craft gin brand from Hombo Shuzo, which is also popular for its whiskeys such as Tsunuki. This is a Kagoshima craft gin made at the Mars Tsunuki Distillery.
It has a unique flavor created using various botanicals grown in Kagoshima . With its refreshing aroma and flavor, this bottle has many fans.
7. Chugoku Brewery JAPANESE DRY GIN Sakurao
- Place of production: Hiroshima, Japan
- Botanicals: Juniper berry, lemon, navel orange, summer mandarin, yuzu, orange, cypress, green tea, red shiso, ginger
- Alcohol content: 47%
- Price: 700ml 2,310 yen (tax included)
This gin is made using citrus fruits from Hiroshima Prefecture as well as nine kinds of botanicals and juniper berries. The beautiful aroma derived from the citrus fruits leaves an impression.
It's great value for money, being available for purchase at around 2,000 yen, making it popular with people who want to enjoy craft gin easily .
How to drink craft gin! Popular cocktails like gin and soda and gin and tonic
One of the attractions of craft gin is that it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It has a rich aroma but also a flavor that goes well with mixers, so it can be enjoyed in a wide range of ways, from straight to cocktails.
If you want to enjoy the original flavor, it's best to drink it "straight" . However, because it has a high alcohol content, it's best to sip it slowly and savor it, alternating with a chaser.
For those who find the straight drink a little too strong, we recommend drinking it on the rocks or with water. We also recommend mixing it with carbonated water to make "gin and soda" in the summer, and mixing it with hot water in the winter .
Gin is also used in the following cocktails: You can also make cocktails using craft gin, so be sure to give it a try.
- Gin and tonic: Pour tonic water into gin and add lime.
- Martini: A short cocktail made with gin and vermouth.
- Gimlet: Gin, lime juice and sugar syrup shaken together.
- Gin Fizz: Add lemon juice and sugar to gin and shake.
- Negroni: Mix equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth.
- Orange Blossom - A cocktail made by mixing gin with orange juice.
A list of 40 cocktail words. From love and cool words to scary alcohol words.For craft gin and spirits, please visit our alcohol purchase appraisal service.
Spirits, including craft gin, generally do not have an expiration date. It is said that unopened bottles can last almost indefinitely if stored properly.
If you have any unopened bottles left over, we recommend using our alcohol buying and appraisal service. With alcohol buying and appraisal, you can turn popular craft gins and other items into cash at a good price.
Craft gin has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent years, so this is a great opportunity to get your gin appraised . Popular brands and limited editions are especially likely to fetch high prices.
If you have any spare alcohol, you should definitely consider using a purchase appraisal service. When you bring it to be sold, try to keep it as clean as possible, and if you have a presentation box or similar item, bring it with you for appraisal.
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summary
Gin is made using botanicals to give it a rich aroma and flavor. It is one of the four major distilled spirits in the world, and in recent years, "craft gin" in particular has been attracting a lot of attention.
Although it originates from the UK, the number of Japanese brands has been increasing recently. The number of craft gin distilleries is on the rise, and products of various styles are available, so be sure to check them out.
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