First Impressions
Etsu is distilled in Asahikawa, Hokkaido — Japan's snow country. Yuzu, sansho pepper, green tea and cherry blossom join classic gin botanicals on a cane spirit base. The name means 'pleasure' in Japanese, and the gin delivers understated elegance.
Tasting
The nose is very aromatic with yuzu, citrus and spices — floral and clean. On the palate, wonderful bitterness and spice with green bitter orange and yuzu, tea, liquorice and sansho pepper warmth. The finish carries sansho pepper with fruity yuzu — clean and lingering.
The Bottom Line
Etsu earns an 8 for one of the better Japanese entries to the modern gin market. The Hokkaido provenance adds romantic snowscape imagery, and the yuzu-sansho combination provides distinctly Japanese character. Best with tonic and a sprig of mint.
