For more than a decade, a swell of producers have offered inventive alternatives to traditional London Dry gin, expanding the category with approachable expressions that place less emphasis on piney juniper. Similarly, they’ve looked beyond the classic supporting cast of savory herbs and bitter roots to instead focus on vibrant fruits and expressive flowers, all with the added upshot of delivering a sense of place.
Still, modern interpretations from increasingly international producers represent the lion’s share of new products that arrive at the VinePair HQ for our annual gin tasting. The Nozawa Onsen village is located in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, and is known for its hot springs and close proximity to world-class skiing during snow season. Produced using rice, local spring water, and ingredients from the peaks of Mount Kenashi, its native botanicals include sansho pepper and Hiroshima lemon. Fruity and floral on the nose, the citrus arrives in candied form, with just a light hint of the locally sourced ingredients as well as juniper. The palate and finish have a beautiful presence, thanks to its 48 percent ABV bottling strength.
Excerpt Taken From: VinePair
Author: Tim McKirdy
