Recently, we wrote about Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin and how we found it to be something that all gin lovers should try.
The flagship product of The Kyoto Distillery is now available in 20 countries since its launch in 2016 and has won a string of awards together with its variants Ki No Bi Sei Kyoto Dry Gin and Ki No Tea Kyoto Dry Gin.
Known for their unique ingredients that include cave-aged ginger and water sourced from one of Fushimi’s most famous sake breweries – Tsuki no Katsura – famed for its purity, softness and for its flavour, the trio of boutique gins have found their way into the hearts and glasses of discerning drinkers.
Although numerous spins on traditional spirits are flooding the market, The Kyoto Distillery’s humble core roster of three flavours – the original Ki No Bi and more recent Ki No Bi Sei and Ki No Tea – show the versatility of the gin producer.
Let’s take a closer look at Ki No Bi Sei and Ki No Tea…
Ki No Bi Sei Kyoto Dry Gin
The distillery’s interpretation of a traditional British Navy Strength gin, Ki No Bi Sei is made using the same intricate production method as the original Ki No Bi with 11 botanicals distilled in 6 distinct flavour categories with the final blend recalibrated to bring out the best.
In the days of the 18th century gin boom, royal naval vessels were required to carry a certain amount of gin onboard to help fight illnesses and diseases which were rife. To ensure their effectiveness, all navy strength gins had to be bottled at a minimum of 57.1% ABV.
For Ki No Bi Sei, its higher strength (54.5% ABV) allows the distinctive taste of its flavour profile to prevail. At first, it is punchy on the palate but retains Ki No Bi’s trademark purity and harmony in perfect balance. An outstanding gin for cocktails.
Ki No Tea Kyoto Dry Gin
The last to join the brand’s core frontline, Ki No Tea was created in collaboration with tea-grower and blender, Hori-Shichimeien.
Founded in the Meiji era in 1879, and based in the famous Uji region to the south of Kyoto city, Hori-Shichimeien produces a number of super-premium Gyokuru and Tencha teas that have been specially selected to form the heart of Ki No Tea.
Its taste is quite a journey for a gin – a delicate, sweet nose is echoed on the palate with notes of white chocolate followed by juniper, leading to a long, clean finish of green tea.
Get Ki No Bi Sei and Ki No Tea at our online shop now! Order before 6pm and we’ll deliver on the same day!
More gin choices here.