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Join the clubThe Big-Gin establishment brands are feeling a disturbance in the force.
The Kyoto Distillery is new — founded in 2016 — but what it lacks in years it makes up for in spirit. It’s Japan’s first distillery dedicated to Gin. And these guys are serious, building a gleaming, state-of-the-art facility with two custom copper stills and enough stainless steel to build a battleship. As you might expect, it is located in Kyoto, and although additional releases are expected in the future, at this point they produce one: Kinobi Kyoto Dry Gin.
When we first heard the name “Kinobi,” we instantly thought of “Obiwan Kenobi” and considered all the StarWars marketing options. But this is a real-deal, premium Gin in the London Dry category with a distinctly Japanese flair. The main botanical is the traditional juniper, and you will recognize the expected hint of lemon and orris root. But it’s rice-based (like Sake) and the rest of the recipe is all-Japan: Sansho berries, Gyokuro green tea leaves, Yuzu citrus, Bamboo, Hinoki wood shavings (Japanese Cypress), and more. We think that James Bond’s signature Versper Cocktail might shine with Kinobi in place of Gordons.
Appearance / Color
Clear
Nose / Aroma / Smell
Bright, with citrus and herbs
Flavor / Taste / Palate
Seriously top-shelf, light, rich, and complex with juniper and dry spice and a beautiful mouth-feel
Finish
Warming and tea-like
Smartass corner
Ki-No-Bi roughly translates as “beauty of seasons” — making the name of this singularly Japanese spirit almost a Zen Haiku. So let’s write one: KiNoBi Dry Gin, The Seasons of Kyoto, Flow in your spirits
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Kinobi Kyoto Craft Gin and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
A powerful new force rises in the East, growing, gathering strength and flexing its might for a population under its sway.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No…
It’s Gin! Japanese Gin, to be exact. And these powerhouse beasts from the East pack a flavor punch with killer raw materials that’ll leave your palate trembling in their wake.
Oh, you think you’ve got what it takes to take them down? Well, put down your sword. Save your laser beams. These flavor baddies can only be tamed with taste buds and a tumbler.
Are you up for the challenge?