Etsu Japanese Handcrafted Gin The Original

Etsu, meaning pleasure in Japanese, is distilled on Hokkaido, the country's northernmost island of volcanoes, hot springs and deep snow. The recipe is closely guarded, but its character comes from Asian botanicals drawn from the prefecture itself, with yuzu at the heart of it. That fragrant yellow citrus, prized in fine Japanese kitchens and even in perfumery for its complexity, gives the gin its signature tart, aromatic lift.

The nose is floral and citrus-led, the palate fresh and well-judged, green tea and soft berries weaving around pepper and that unmistakable yuzu. The finish is long, leaving pepper and bright citrus on the tongue. Serve it in a tall glass with tonic and a strip of yuzu or lemon peel to let the citrus sing.