Ki No Bi Sei Kyoto Dry Gin – Navy Strength

Description

Ki No Bi Sei Kyoto Dry Gin Bottling Note

Ki No Bi Sei Kyoto Dry Gin is a high-strength evolution of the flagship release from The Kyoto Distillery, Japan’s first dedicated gin distillery located in the Minami-ku district. While the distillery is famously associated with the expertise of the Number One Drinks Company—legendary for their work with closed whisky distilleries like Karuizawa—this specific bottling bridges the gap between traditional British maritime history and Japanese precision.

Created using the same eleven botanicals found in the classic Ki No Bi, this expression is bottled at a potent 54% ABV. The “Sei” in its name translates to “power,” a deliberate nod to the traditional Navy Strength style. Unlike standard spirits, this higher concentration is designed to hold the integrity of the botanicals even when integrated into complex drinks; in a Gin & Tonic, for instance, the gin’s muscular character ensures it is never overshadowed by the tonic.

The production process involves a base of high-quality rice spirit rather than grain, which provides a distinctively velvety mouthfeel. To achieve its profile, the distillery splits its botanicals into six distinct flavour categories: Base, Citrus, Tea, Herbal, Spice, and Fruity/Floral. Each group is distilled individually before being blended with water sourced from the famous brewing district of Fushimi. This meticulous separation ensures that the volatile oils of the ginger, gyokuro tea, and yellow yuzu remain vibrant and punchy.

Ki No Bi Sei Kyoto Dry Gin Tasting Note

Nose: The aroma opens with a concentrated burst of fresh yuzu and sansho pepper, underpinned by the earthy sweetness of gyokuro tea. There is a clean, stony mineral quality that balances the intensity of the high-proof spirit.

Palate: On the palate, the texture is remarkably creamy due to the rice spirit base. It delivers a potent hit of ginger and menthol, followed by more delicate floral notes and a spicy, resinous juniper core that remains prominent throughout.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, dominated by lingering citrus zest and a drying green tea astringency. A faint hint of toasted wood and spice persists without any harshness.

Overall: A bold yet balanced expression of Ki No Bi, offering a more concentrated take on the distillery’s signature style while retaining its refined Japanese character.