The Kyoto Distillery : KI NO BI Edition G

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the KI NO BI Edition G by The Kyoto Distillery

Tasting

Nose
The nose reveals a beautiful aromatic complexity, combining notes of vanilla and fruity oak with touches of citrus, oily juniper, and akamatsu (Japanese red pine). Stone fruit aromas round out this elegant bouquet.

Palate
The palate offers pronounced fruitiness supported by a distinct juniper expression. Sanshō pepper brings spicy notes, complemented by the subtle warmth of ginger. The finish is long, marked by a persistent woody profile, well-integrated tannins, and fresh touches of citrus and juniper.

Mixology

Thanks to its notes of vanilla and fruity oak, this edition blends perfectly into cocktails that highlight citrus or herbal components. It particularly excels in great classics such as the Gimlet, the Martini, or the Negroni, where the time spent in cask adds extra complexity while preserving the clarity of its botanicals.

Other Characteristics

This spirit is bottled without cold filtration in order to preserve the full range of its aromatic compounds and flavor nuances.

A Japanese Gin of Great Elegance Aged in Champagne Casks

The Kyoto Distillery: The Excellence of Japanese Gin

Founded in 2014 by Noriko Kakuda Croll, David Croll, and Marcin Miller, The Kyoto Distillery is the first distillery in Japan exclusively dedicated to the creation of gin. Located in Kyoto, it draws its inspiration from local artisanal traditions and uses the pure waters of the renowned Fushimi region. Its production equipment consists of Christian Carl copper stills, allowing for highly precise modular distillation. In 2025, the distillery inaugurated a new facility in Kameoka, powered entirely by renewable energy, reflecting its commitment to sustainability. Since 2020, the Pernod Ricard group has been the majority shareholder and current owner of the distillery, although the founders retain strategic direction. The Kyoto Distillery has thus established itself as the undisputed pioneer of Japanese gin around the world.

KI NO BI Edition G: A Prestigious Collaboration and a Unique Blend

KI NO BI Edition G is a limited-edition Gin born from an unprecedented collaboration with the prestigious Champagne house Henri Giraud. This Gin stands out for its particularly rigorous modular production method. The alcoholic base, a wonderfully smooth rice spirit, is infused with eleven carefully selected botanicals, divided into six distinct groups: the base (juniper, iris root, akamatsu), citrus (yuzu and lemon), herbs (sanshō pepper and kinome), spices (ginger), tea (gyokuro), and a fruity and floral element (bamboo leaves and red shiso).

Each botanical group is macerated and distilled separately to extract the optimal point of its aromas, before being meticulously blended with pure Fushimi water. The uniqueness of KI NO BI Edition G then lies in its maturation. The gin is aged in French oak casks that previously held Henri Giraud champagne. This time spent in cask gives the spirit specific aromatic compounds and a delicate tannic structure that interact harmoniously with the botanicals, without ever masking the gin's original identity.