Volume：700ml
ABV：45%

Distilling gin with Japanese botanicals like cherry blossom petals or green tea is common in Japan, but using wagashi (Japanese confectionery) and seaweed? That’s something new!

In Saga Prefecture, rapid population aging has led to widespread fallow farmland (as highlighted in the anime “Zombie Land Saga”). Local organizations have focused on revitalizing the economy. The “Ogi Tourism and Town Development Co., Ltd.” founded OGI Distillery to promote local culture. They reclaimed unused farmland to cultivate the botanicals for their gin and incorporated local specialties: “Ashikari nori” (seaweed) and “Ogi yokan” (a red bean wagashi), to showcase regional uniqueness.

Each botanical—Ogi yokan, Ashikari nori, cherry blossom petals, yuzu, green tea, and more—was distilled separately using different methods to maximize aroma, then masterfully blended. The final blend is diluted to 45% ABV with water from the local Tsunosato Onsen, sourced 1,700 meters underground, resulting in “Sou Premium.”

Neat, the aroma is a blend of yuzu and green tea, with cherry blossom and subtle sweet dessert notes. The palate is soft and mildly sweet, with hints of seaweed, followed by a long finish of green tea and cherry blossom. Add soda water and the flavors of yuzu and tea become even brighter, ending with refreshing sakura notes.