The 135º meridian east runs through Akashi City in the Hyogo prefecture, home of our Kaikyo Distillery. Inspired by the Taisho period, the Hyogo Gin alludes to a time when East and Western culture were melding within Japan. This concepts exemplifies the style and even the ingredients, which are designed to enhance and complement each other. Traditional London Dry Gin botanicals mingle with Japanese botanicals, topped with a splash of sake spirit. The spicy sansho pepper and floral, citrusy notes of yuzu balance perfectly the sweet earthiness of Angelica root and tangy bite of coriander. Also included in the complex yet forgiving blend is shiso leaf, ume, shencha and of course juniper. Each botanical is sourced from a local farm and distilled individually before being married together to form this a harmonious but enticing blend. The Yonezawa family, owners of Kaikyo Distillery, settled in Akashi City in 1856. There they started the family distillery and perfected rice distillation by 1917. 100 years later, Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa honors his family legacy by creating an completely new and unique expression of this unique place.