Matsui The Hakuto Gin (70cl, 47%)

A Japanese gin from Matsui Shuzo at Kurayoshi Distillery in Tottori, made with 14 botanicals led by nashi pear, the signature fruit of Tottori Prefecture. The botanicals are macerated in neutral spirit and distilled in a Portuguese alembic pot still, then proofed with spring water filtered through the volcanic stone of Mount Daisen. The botanicals include nashi pear, juniper, coriander, orange and yuzu peels, Japanese sansho pepper, gyokuro green tea, sakura, black pepper and more. On the nose there are wet pine bough, cherry blossom, candied lemon peel and fresh nashi pear; the palate is structured with pink and sansho peppercorn, underripe pear, green apple and green tea, with well-integrated juniper and cedar, and a clean citrus and pepper finish.