Kyoto Distillery Ki No Bi Dry Gin
45.7% ABV | 750mL | 11 botanicals, six flavor groups — "Ki No Bi" means "the beauty of the seasons" — and Kyoto Distillery, Japan's first dedicated gin distillery, was founded in 2015 inside a 200-year-old sake brewery in southern Kyoto. Master Distiller David Croll and his team distill the botanicals in six distinct flavor groups to preserve each one's individual character: yellow yuzu, akamatsu (Japanese red pine), red shiso leaves, bamboo leaves, ginger, lemon, orris, gyokuro tea from Uji, green sanshō, kinome, and juniper. Proofed with Fushimi water, famous for its purity as Kyoto's sake-brewing water. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
The result is a rice-spirit-based gin of remarkable delicacy and transparency — Japan's contribution to the gin renaissance, and a benchmark for Japanese craft gin alongside Roku and Nikka Coffey. Yuzu and juniper lead on the nose with red shiso's floral lift; the palate is citrusy, silky, and precise with a whisper of sanshō spice; the finish is long, clean, and gently peppery. An essential gin for the classic G&T and a Martini that shows off the spirit.
Tasting notes
Nose: yuzu and juniper with floral red shiso lift. Palate: citrusy, silky, precise — whisper of sanshō spice. Finish: long, clean, gently peppery. (Per the distillery.)
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 45.7% ABV — elegant Japanese dry gin
- "Ki No Bi" = "the beauty of the seasons"
- 11 Kyoto botanicals distilled in six flavor groups
- Rice-spirit base, proofed with Fushimi water
- Benchmark Japanese craft gin — alongside Roku and Nikka Coffey
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
The classic: 2 oz Ki No Bi, premium tonic, lemon twist, lots of ice — it was built for the G&T. Also shines in a Martini with a whisper of dry vermouth.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Ki No Bi" mean?
"The beauty of the seasons" — reflecting the distillate's seasonal botanical focus.
Who makes it?
Kyoto Distillery, Japan's first dedicated gin distillery, founded 2015 inside a 200-year-old sake brewery, under Master Distiller David Croll.
What is the base spirit?
Rice spirit — unusual outside Japan, giving it its characteristic silky texture.
How is it different from Ki No Bi Sei?
The original at 45.7% is delicate and elegant; Sei at 54.5% is fuller-bodied and built for cocktails.