The Goto Islands, located off the coast of Nagasaki, were once a haven for hidden Christians fleeing persecution during the Edo era. The islands are rich in religious culture, stunning architecture, and untouched natural resources—abundant camellias, pure water, and wild landscapes create a paradise-like environment. Drawn by its tranquility, three seasoned spirits experts, each with decades of experience, established a gin distillery here.

Leading the team is Hideaki Kitoh, who spent 32 years managing distillation and blending for the Kirin Group. At GOTO Tsubaki Distillery, he crafted two core products: the flagship “The Origin” and the annual limited edition, “The Cacao” (only 2,000 bottles produced per year). After tasting The Cacao, we were so impressed by its rich cacao aroma that we had to bring it to Hong Kong!

The Cacao features rare Criollo cacao beans, often called the “King of Cocoa.” This variety, favored by luxury chocolate brands like Domori, is prized for its floral aroma, mild bitterness, and creamy texture. To achieve these qualities, Mr. Kitoh sourced Criollo beans from Peru, and blended them with wild camellia, dried grapes, and juniper to create this unique gin.

Open the bottle—immediately, a deep, enticing cacao aroma fills the air, with undertones of dark chocolate. The palate is greeted by roasted cacao, delicate floral notes, and chocolatey sweetness. After finishing a glass, the lingering scent of dark chocolate stays in the empty cup, making you want to sniff it for minutes. The complexity is remarkable—a truly high-quality gin.

The bottle design, inspired by camellia flower buds and colored to evoke the sea, is not only stunning but also a pleasure to hold. It was awarded the 2023 Glass Bottle Grand Prize.