Hinomaru may sound unfamiliar, but the name comes from the legendary Kiuchi Brewery—the maker of Hitachino Nest Beer, famous for its owl logo, seen everywhere from Japanese bars to Hong Kong bottle shops. Beyond beer, Kiuchi Brewery has a 200-year history in sake and shochu production and launched its first “Hinomaru” whisky in 2022. Now, with this new craft gin, the brewery continues its impressive expansion.

Hinomaru Gin is crafted using 12 botanicals sourced from Ibaraki Prefecture, primarily featuring yuzu, mikan (Japanese citrus), and sansho pepper. After distillation, the gin is blended with their own rice shochu and matured in cedar casks, giving the spirit a unique, layered complexity. This intricate process blends skills from sake, shochu, gin, and whisky production—a true culmination of 200 years of craftsmanship.

Neat, the gin shines a beautiful pale gold, with vibrant cedar aromas accented by yuzu and herbs. The palate is soft and smooth, offering bright yuzu zest, gentle mikan sweetness, and lingering cedar, followed by a subtle tingle of sansho pepper. Despite its 40% ABV, the alcohol is exceptionally well-integrated and easy to drink.

Mixed with tonic, the fresh cedar notes shine even more, while citrus peels become prominent. Even at a 1:1 ratio with tonic, it remains smooth and dangerously drinkable—a refreshing, satisfying gin with a sophisticated twist.

If you’re seeking a gin with barrel aging and fresh woodsy aroma, Hinomaru “Kura Fudo” Gin is the perfect choice.