Akori Gin Cherry Blossom

The Japanese-style bottle is a piece of theatre: Akori is in fact made in Spain by Destilerias Campeny, distillers who looked east for inspiration. Built on a rice-based spirit rather than the usual grain, this Cherry Blossom expression puts sakura at its centre and surrounds it with botanicals that nod to the Far East, kumquat, ginger and dragon fruit among them, for a profile far removed from a standard London Dry.

It pours a soft pink and the nose is fruity and fresh, citrus and ginger lifting the delicate cherry blossom. The palate carries exotic citrus and juniper alongside dragon fruit, tart kumquat and that floral sakura signature, while the finish lingers long and flowery. Serve it over plenty of ice with a light tonic and a few dried rose or cherry petals, letting the blossom take centre stage.