Cherry blossom is the easy headline here, but the detail that shapes the gin is quieter: Etsu builds this bottling on water drawn from the Taisetsu mountains, and that softness runs underneath every aromatic decision. Sakura petals sit at the centre of the profile, held in place by juniper, yuzu, coriander, liquorice and bitter orange, and the whole thing is bottled at 43% ABV - enough structure to survive a mixed drink, light enough to keep the perfumed character intact.

Yuzu and bitter orange peel open the nose, joined almost immediately by sakura and a soft herbal background. The floral side is pale rather than heavy, closer to blossom on the branch than to confectionery, and the green bitter orange keeps the whole line fresh and slightly bitter at the edges. Coriander adds a measured spice, liquorice rounds the corners, and on the palate the order reverses: citrus lands first, clean and lifted, then sakura spreads a silky floral layer across a dry botanical base. The texture stays light throughout, which is part of why the blossom never turns cloying.

The serve should protect that lightness. A crisp tonic works far better than a sweet one, and grapefruit peel is the useful garnish because it bridges the yuzu and the bitter orange rather than adding a new idea. A single edible blossom can echo the sakura, provided it earns its place instead of decorating the glass. Keep the ice generous so the aromatics stay cool and defined. Length is medium, the impression bright and lightly floral, with citrus bitterness and soft spice returning behind the freshness. For anyone looking for a Japanese gin that is charming and openly aromatic yet still behaves like a gin once the tonic is in, this is a straightforward choice.