WA BI Gin, Japanese Beauty in a Bottle
Distilled by Hombo Shuzo, this gin contains aromatic notes that are typical of Kyushu island in southern Japan, like that of ‘yuzu.’
© Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Hombo Shuzo first became known for its shochu, a traditional alcoholic beverage similar to brandy. In 1960, the company then started diversifying, producing whisky and wine. Having initially opened in Yamanashi, the distillery was relocated in 1985 to Shinshu in the Japanese Alps. It became known as the Mars Shinshu, where aromatic whiskies were produced.
Flavours that pay homage to Japanese nature
In 2017, the traditional brand (founded in 1872) decided to launch itself into the artisanal production of gin. This marked the beginning of WA BI GIN, a story with passion at its heart.
WA BI means ‘Japanese beauty.’ The gin contains a combination of nine local plants, dominated by yuzu and green tea, and is intended as an homage to Japanese nature. On the palate can be tasted citrus (yuzu and kumquat) and green tea, while fresh aromas of ginger and cinnamon are redolent on the nose. An acidic flavour of bitter orange finishes the gin off. The alcohol tells, at the bottom of each glass, the story of the richness of Kyushu, a subtropical, mountainous, and volcanic region. Bon voyage.
More information on WA BI GIN can be found on Hombo Shuzo distillery’s website.
© Yasuyuki Emori
© Yasuyuki Emori
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