As one of the first major award events of the year, the London Spirits Competition shines a spotlight on the best bottles for drinkers to search out for their collections or to sit back and sip. This year, 40 judges gathered to crown the newest kings and queens in 29 different categories in the 7th iteration of the event. Designed to highlight brands consumers want to buy, the event has a history of discovering up-and-coming brands and delivering a few surprises.
This year, perhaps none was more eye-opening than the winner of the Gin of the Year Award, Ukiyo Japanese Yuzu Gin. Yes, you read that correctly. A gin from the far east came into London, the beating heart of gin, and vanquished all others. It is yet another indicator of where gin is headed as more drinkers than ever dive into the botanical beauty of the spirit.
According to a recent report from IWSR, the gin market is poised for an annual 5% CAGR for the next five years. While growth in the three biggest gin markets—the US, UK, and Spain—will be subdued, strong gains are expected in the other top 20 spirits markets. One of those is Japan, a market that has enthusiastically embraced the global boom in bourbon and scotch.
As consumer interest in cocktails like the Negroni, French 75, Aviation, and the ever-popular Martini and gin and tonic continues to grow, new and established brands are rushing products to market. One of those new entrants is Ukiyo Spirits, a brand located just outside Tokyo.
MIDDLEBURG, VA – APRIL 9: JaradÕs Gin & Tonic cocktail – gin, tonic, lime, orange and botanicals at … [+]
Launched a few years ago by Kirker Greer Spirits, the spirits arm of Drinksology Kirker Greer (DKG Group), Ukiyo Spirits is the perfect standard bearer for the modern gin movement. As part of a portfolio of products, including a creative agency, E-Commerce platform, and distribution company, the DKG Group can keep its fingers firmly on the pulse of drinkers’ interests and wants.
The term Ukiyo means “floating world,” and according to the brand, it refers to “a state of mind emphasizing living in the moment, detached from the difficulties of life.” To achieve that state, they follow traditional Japanese distilling methods, making their spirits from a base of rice that is then infused with local botanicals. They produce three distinct gins (Tokyo Dry, Japanese Blossom, and Yuzu) alongside a Japanese Rice Vodka. All four were entered at the LSC and earned silver medals or higher.
But, it was the Japanese Yuzu Gin that wowed the judges. Made from a traditional Japanese shochu spirit, which is then redistilled using juniper, yuzu, citrus, and a wide array of regional botanicals, it scored 97 total points out of 100 at the competition. It was also awarded the Best in Show by Country award, and its distinctive two-color bottle designed to resemble its homeland’s mountains and oceans also won the Best Spirits by Package award.
Loaded with flavors that linger long after each sip, it’s a bottle that any gin lover would love to have. Here is what the judges had to say about it. “Complex gin with pronounced herbal notes, balanced palate, and long citrus finish. Menthol aroma with bergamot and citrus flavours, refreshing and perfumed.”