135° East Hyogo Dry Gin is a Japanese artisan gin from the Kaikyo Distillery in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, blending traditional gin botanicals with five Japanese ones and a splash of sake distillate, bottled at 84 proof (42% ABV).
The gin is named after the 135° East meridian, which crosses Akashi City, and it is inspired by Japan's Taisho era, when Eastern culture merged with Western influence. Master Distiller and Blender Kimio Yonezawa wanted a gin with a strong personality, echoing Japan's openness to the world in the 1920s, and created what he calls a new style: the Hyogo Dry Gin. The same distillery makes Hatozaki whisky.
After examining the flavor profiles of more than 50 botanicals, Yonezawa chose three traditional European ones and five uniquely Japanese ones: yuzu, shiso, sansho pepper, chrysanthemum and cedar wood, sourced from small local producers and Japanese specialists.
Each botanical is distilled separately, many through vacuum distillation, a low-temperature technique used in the luxury perfume industry that preserves pure aromatic notes. The distillates are then blended and crowned with a splash of sake distillate.
The result is soft and aromatic, neither purely Eastern nor Western: bright yuzu up front, herbal shiso and gentle sansho spice, floral chrysanthemum and a woody cedar note. It shines in a Martini, a Hanky Panky or a light Gin & Tonic with a slice of citrus.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Yuzu, shiso, chrysanthemum.
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Palate: Soft citrus, sansho spice, juniper.
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Finish: Gentle cedar wood.
Specifications
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Distillery: Kaikyo Distillery, Akashi, Hyogo, Japan
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Style: Hyogo Dry Gin
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Japanese botanicals: Yuzu, shiso, sansho pepper, chrysanthemum, cedar wood
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Method: Separate (vacuum) distillation, finished with sake distillate
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Proof / ABV: 84 proof (42% ABV)
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Stir a Dry Martini or a Hanky Panky, or mix a light Gin & Tonic with a yuzu or lemon slice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the name come from?
The 135° East meridian that crosses Akashi City.
Which Japanese botanicals are used?
Yuzu, shiso, sansho pepper, chrysanthemum and cedar wood.
What makes it unique?
Separate vacuum distillation and a splash of sake distillate.
Explore more in our Gin collection.
