Jinzu (70cl)

Jinzu (70cl)

Jinzu shares its name with the Japanese river that flows through the prefecture of Toyama, a city that sits on the Sea of Japan coast.

The river is a site to behold, joined along its course by a thousand cherry blossom trees.

Dee has been passionate about Japan and Japanese culture since visiting the country aged 16, so when the competition with Diageo came up, she leapt at the chance to join her two interests.

Fleshy citrus jumps to the fore on the nose, with the sake bringing an underlying sweetness.

The cherry blossom carries a distinct floral note, but there’s a subtle juniper underpinning it all.

Tasted neat, Jinzu Gin is mild, easy to sip and to hold on the tongue. It’s altogether quite unfamiliar as a spirit, though notably still a ginny with a long finish and a strong enough juniper backbone that carries all the way through to the aftertaste.

The yuzu brings a fresh, mandarin-like citrus and the sake provides a creamy mouthfeel and a taste which bites right at the end.

The cherry blossom, too, holds strong in the mouth – it’s not sweet and not herbal, rather it sits somewhere in-between.