KiNoBi

The 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.