Etsu Sakura Japanese Gin in GP

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 43% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Cherry blossom gives Etsu Sakura its floral character. This edition draws on Hanami, the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom viewing. The gin is made at the Akita distillery on Honshū, with water from the Ōu mountains used to bring it to bottling strength. This version contains a 0.7-litre bottle at 43% in gift packaging.

The recipe combines sakura with pre-dried yuzu peel, green bitter orange peel, juniper, coriander seeds, liquorice and angelica root. Fresh citrus notes and the peppery character of juniper complement the blossom sweetness. Coriander adds a subtle minty accent, while liquorice contributes anise-like and woody notes along with some bitterness. Angelica root adds bitter notes and a warming mouthfeel. The gin is suited to cocktails or mixing with tonic.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, delicate cherry blossom meets fresh yuzu. A light herbal note accompanies the floral aroma.
• Palate: On the palate, the floral opening of sakura blends harmoniously with citrus notes and bitter orange peel. Liquorice and coriander seeds add subtle accents, while the overall impression remains delicate and balanced.
• Finish: The finish is light and soft. Floral notes linger, accompanied by a hint of fresh citrus peel.

Distillery/Bottler:

The Akita distillery is located on Honshū, Japan's largest island, near the Ōu mountains. Alongside Etsu Sakura, it also produces Etsu Double Yuzu and Etsu Double Orange. Etsu is a BBC Spirits brand; all three gins are distilled in Akita.

Akita macerates the botanicals for seven days in alcohol made from sugarcane molasses at 67%. The plant material is then removed and the alcohol diluted to 30%. A single distillation without the botanicals takes place in a copper still, yielding a distillate at 65%. Water from the Ōu mountains reduces the strength to 43%. Before bottling, a fine-mesh filter removes impurities; the gin is not chill-filtered.

Facts: