Tokyo Nights Japanese Vodka

Tokyo Nights is made in Japan by Godo Shusei, following the local custom of distilling vodka from cane sugar molasses, which gives a soft, mildly sweet base spirit. That spirit is triple distilled for clarity, then filtered four times through birch charcoal, a step that pulls residual oils and harsher notes from the distillate and leaves the silky texture the style is known for. The spirit is then infused with yuzu, a fragrant Japanese citrus that is more floral and aromatic than lemon or lime, which is what carries the flavour. Bottled at 40%, it pairs a clean molasses body with a bright citrus top note.

The nose is fresh and lively, all yuzu, citrus grass and a hint of tropical freshness. The palate is soft and elegant with a real body, gentle citrus and good balance, finishing long with a light fruit acidity and gentle warmth. To show off the yuzu, build a Japanese-style highball: a measure over ice in a tall glass, topped with cold soda and finished with a thin twist of yuzu or lemon peel. The soda lifts the citrus aromatics and the birch-filtered smoothness keeps the drink clean and dry, the way a good highball should be.