Etsu Japanese Gin Pacific Ocean Water (Gift Box)

Etsu is distilled on the northern island of Hokkaido, and its defining trick is the water: rather than spring or mineral water, the spirit is cut with seawater drawn from the depths of the Pacific Ocean. That marine source lends a real saline minerality, a quiet salt note that frames the botanicals rather than overwhelming them. Before distillation the ingredients macerate for a full 22 hours, drawing out the flavour of yuzu peel, bitter orange, green tea, sansho pepper and coriander.

The nose is fresh and citrusy with a slight salinity, yuzu and floral accents to the fore. The palate is salty and round, maritime minerality carried by the lively freshness of yuzu, bitter orange and green tea. It finishes smooth, soft and silky with a pleasantly fresh, faintly salty note. Build a Japanese-inspired gin and tonic with a neutral or floral tonic and a slice of yuzu or grapefruit.