Tokyo Nights Japanese Gin

Tokyo Nights is built on a sugar-cane molasses spirit and a recipe its maker, Godo Shusei, keeps closely guarded; only the headline botanicals are disclosed. Among them are yuzu peel and matcha powder, set against juniper, coriander and liquorice root. That pairing of bright Japanese citrus with the savoury green hum of matcha is what gives the gin its distinctive character, the liquorice lending a quiet sweetness and weight.

The nose is fresh yuzu and lemon over floral notes and a green-tea freshness. The palate is full-bodied, exotic citrus and green tea meeting ginger and a flick of Sichuan pepper for gentle heat, before a long, refreshing finish carrying a floral, faintly warm oak note. Pour it over a good tonic with a slice of yuzu or cucumber.