Nozawa Gin

Nozawa Gin brings together the familiar resin of juniper and a set of plants associated with the forests around Nozawa Onsen. The distillery describes it as its signature dry ginDry ginGin with no perceptible sweetness: in the European Union, the word "dry" allows at most 0.1 g of sugar per litre.GlossarySee Dry gin gins, with a fragrant aroma reminiscent of a walk through the woods. Bottled at 45% ABV, it is made in the village of Nozawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture.

Citrus · Woody · Dry · Herbal

The producer names juniper, cedar and lemon in its main description, then highlights kuromoji, Japanese cedar and kakidooshi in the botanical section. Kuromoji is gathered by hand in the distillery garden and contributes a sweet, fragrant note. Fresh cedar from the distiller's garden recalls the surrounding mountain trees, while lemon adds a clean citrus lift and a pleasantly crisp bitterness. Kakidooshi brings mint-like freshness and an earthy, sage-like character.

On the nose, the first impression is brisk and green, with lemon and aromatic woods alongside juniper.

The palate remains dry: citrus brightness gives way to resin, leafy freshness and a more grounded herbal finish. The cedar does not turn the gin into a heavily woody spirit; it gives the citrus and juniper a forest-like setting. At 45%, the aromas remain clearly defined when the gin is served neat or lengthened with soda.

The distillery recommends Nozawa Gin straight or with soda and presents a simple soda serve with lemon. For a long drink, pour 3 cl over ice in a highballHighballA long drink served in a tall, straight glass with plenty of ice: a spirit topped with soda or tonic. The word also names the glass.Glossary glass, add 10 cl chilled soda and stir once. Finish with a narrow lemon peel. The restrained dilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary lets the forest herbs and juniper remain distinct, while the peel echoes the citrus already present in the recipe.