Product description
Etsu gin (“etsu” translates from Japanese to “joy”) is owned by Bordeaux-based BBC Spirits, founded in 2010 by Bogdan Tanasoiu and Bertrand Fradin (BBC stands for Bogdan & Bertrand Company).
Initially, BBC's activity was limited to importing and exporting wines, and after a few years, distilled spirits appeared in the offer - whiskey, rum, tequila, vodka and gin. Etsu Handcrafted Gin debuted in 2017 and a year after its debut won a gold medal at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco. The medalist is distilled in the Asahikawa Distillery and its formula includes bitter oranges, licorice, angelica root, coriander, Japanese Sanshō pepper, tea leaves, yuzu (a local fruit somewhat similar to grapefruit), juniper and a few ingredients that the producer does not disclose. Asahikawa is not the only distillery associated with this brand; the Etsu Double Yuzu presented here comes from the Akita Distillery based in Honshu. This time, the maceration of botanicals is extended to seven days, and the formula includes more yuzu fruit. In 2021, this gin won a gold medal at the Asian Spirits Masters competition.
Etsu Double Yuzu is a very citrusy gin; in the aromatic bouquet we find lemon, yuzu, mandarin and notes of juniper and licorice in the background. In taste, mainly citrus and citrus zesty, notes of pine needles and juniper. We encourage tasting only with an ice cube or with a delicate tonic and a slice of lemon.