Etsu Pacific Ocean Taste Gin
43% ABV | 700mL | Hokkaido, Japan — Etsu Pacific Ocean Water gin is distilled at the Asahikawa Distillery in Hokkaido, and "Pacific Ocean Water" isn't poetry: during the dilution stage, a touch of water drawn from the depths of the Pacific Ocean is added to the gin, joining Hokkaidō mountain spring water for a briny, mineral signature (BBC Spirits). The botanicals macerate 22 hours in 67% sugar-cane-molasses alcohol before a single distillation in a traditional copper alembic — juniper berries, yuzu, bitter orange peel, licorice root, angelica root and coriander. It is not chill-filtered. "Etsu" means "pleasure" in Japanese. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Among Japanese gins, the tall blue bottle stands out on the shelf and the spirit stands out in the glass: BBC Spirits' notes find a fresh, briny nose of yuzu, bitter orange and sea breeze; a smooth, balanced palate with fine salinity lifted by citrus and soft spices; and a generous finish of lingering mineral freshness, yuzu zest and an iodized sea-water note. A gold medalist at the Global Gin Masters 2025, The Gin Masters Gold 2023, and Master at The Gin Masters 2022 (via distributor BBC Spirits).
Tasting notes
Nose: fresh and briny — yuzu, bitter orange, sea breeze, floral citrus. Palate: smooth and balanced, fine salinity, citrus and soft spices, green-tea lift. Finish: generous, lingering mineral freshness, yuzu zest, faint iodized note.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 43% ABV — 700mL; Asahikawa Distillery, Hokkaido
- Pacific Ocean deep water added at dilution — verified process, not a marketing phrase
- Single copper-alembic distillation; not chill-filtered; sugar-cane-molasses base
- Gold, Global Gin Masters 2025; Gold, The Gin Masters 2023; Master, 2022 (distributor-reported)
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Gin & Tonic with a light, citrus-forward tonic and a yuzu or lemon twist; or a wet Martini with a brine-washed twist that nods to the Pacific Ocean water inside.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Pacific Ocean Water" mean?
Water drawn from the depths of the Pacific Ocean is added during the dilution stage, giving the gin a briny, mineral signature — confirmed by the distillery's own process description.
Is this the same as Etsu Original?
No — Etsu Original has a different character; this Pacific Ocean Taste bottle is 43% ABV with the ocean-water profile (the distillery lists 45% ABV in some markets — go by the bottle).
Why does the bottle say Pacific Ocean Taste in the store title?
The store title is protected as-is; every official source calls the product "Pacific Ocean Water."