Etsu Orange Japanese Gin

Etsu Orange Japanese Gin is a 43% ABV, 750mL gin from Asahikawa Distillery in Hokkaido, Japan, built around Japanese bitter orange — a distinctive bitter-sweet citrus — with coriander and sansho pepper over a juniper base, distilled in pot stills with Hokkaido spring water. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

"Etsu" means pleasure in Japanese, and the Orange expression leans into Hokkaido's citrus character: bitter orange brings both brightness and a pithy, terpene-rich bitterness that reads more like fine marmalade than sweet orange soda. Sansho pepper adds the gentle, tingling spice that Japanese gin does better than anyone, lifted by angelica, licorice and a thread of yuzu peel.

Tasting profile: orange-forward from the first sniff — bitter orange zest and citrus bitterness up front, subtle sansho spice through the middle, and a juniper undertone that keeps it recognisably gin. Browse the Etsu brand collection, more gin, and the full spirits collection at Del Mesa Liquor.

Serving note: a Gin & Tonic with a twist of orange peel, or a White Lady where the bitter orange does the work of the garnish.

What makes Etsu Orange different? Its signature botanical is Japanese bitter orange — bitter-sweet and terpene-rich — layered with sansho pepper over a classic juniper base.

Where is Etsu made? Asahikawa Distillery in Hokkaido, Japan, distilled in pot stills with Hokkaido spring water.

What does it taste like? Bitter orange zest and citrus bitterness, subtle sansho spice, and a juniper undertone.

What is the ABV and size? 43% ABV, 750mL.