Ki No Tea is a collaboration project between Kyoto Distillery and tea-grower and blender, Hori-Shichimeien, founded in the Meiji era in 1879. Based in the famous Uji region to the south of Kyoto city, a number if super-premium Uji teas have been specially selected to form the heart of Ki No Tea. Tencha and Gyokuro provide intense aromas and depth of flavour with a wonderful sweetness that occurs naturally in the distillation of these superior teas. These tea leaves are harvested in the Okunoyama tea yard dated back to the 1300’s, and blend carefully with a secret botanical recipe used only in Ki No Tea. Gentle aromas give the impression of walking into a silent Japanese tea house.
KI NO BI (The Beauty of the Seasons) is inspired by tradition and is distilled, blended and bottle in Kyoto. This gin is made in a recognizable dry style, but with a distinct Japanese accent. KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin is created with fresh Japanese botanicals such as yellow Yuzu, Hinoki (Japanese cypress), Bamboo, Gyokuro Green Tea, Shiso and Green Sansho (Japanese Szechuan Peppercorn). Bottled at 45.7% ABV and with a rice base spirit, Kyoto Distillery has mastered not only the science of distillation but also the age-old art of blending, and separates the botanicals into six different categories: base, citrus, tea, herbal, spice, and floral. Each category is distilled individually, then blended in perfect balance to create the distinct KI NO BI flavor.