Japanese Craft Gin Wakayama Kozue (47%)

Kozue is a Japanese craft gin made in Wakayama Prefecture, using several botanicals local to the area. These include mandarin peel, lemon peel and sansho, alongside juniper imported from Europe. What sets it apart is the Japanese umbrella pine (koyamaki), and the producer states that it is the world's first gin to use it. The nose brings abundant pine and pepper spice, while the palate shows citrus, pine and spice. At 47% ABV it is extremely smooth and drinkable.