Must-Try! New Japanese Gin in PH Market

Gin is still the trendiest spirit in the market, and whether you like gin or not, Filipinos are still one of the largest consumers of gin in the world. With the continued growth of gin consumption in our country, a lot of craft and imported gin brands are entering the market, and we welcome them with open arms and G&T glasses. 

The latest gin entry in the Philippines comes from Okinawa, known as the best place to go to in Japan if you are looking for some sand, sun, surf, and Awamori. What is Awamori? It is a type of rice-based spirit unique to Okinawa (Okinawan distilled sake), made from long-grain rice which is distilled like shōchū, and Masahiro Okinawa Japanese gin uses this as its base. 

Masahiro Distillery has been making Awamori since 1882 and eventually branched out to shochu. Today, Masahiro is the first Okinawa-based distillery to release its gin. Last September 23, Okinawa Gin officially launched in the Philippine market with a masterclass hosted by the distillery’s 7th generation distiller, Higa Masayasu, together with Synergy Link Holdings’ (exporter of Akashi Whisky) founder John Hong Jim. With the Philippines being a massive market for gin, we are their first stop in Asia to promote their unique craft Awamori-based gin.   

When you hear Japanese Craft gins, the brands that come to mind are Suntory’s Roku Gin, Asahi Breweries’ Nikka Coffey Gin, and premium Ki No Bi gin from Kyoto. Today, more and more Japanese gins our coming out of the pot stills and Okinawa gin is a bottle that you have to include on your gin wish list. It’s nothing you’ve tasted before. It has a mystique to it, with some sweetness, citrus, floral notes, and sake aftertaste. Its velvety liquid would keep you wanting more.  

The botanicals used for this gin are locally sourced and representative of Okinawa—roselle (from the hibiscus family), guava leaves, long pepper, goya (Okinawan bitter melon, like our ampalaya), juniper, and the most common citrus fruit in Okinawa, shekwasa (it’s sour, tart, and orange-like but green in color).  

Okinawa gin is bottled at 47% ABV, and it deserves to be sipped, not consumed as a shot, so you can slowly enjoy it’s flavor notes. It’s delicate aroma and profile would go well in cocktails only with ingredients that will make it shine. It would be great as a Martini or a white Negroni, or any recipe that can brighten the notes of the gin. 

From the launch, we liked the Under Pressure cocktail, inspired by Vesper Martini. It has Cocchi Americano White Vermouth, Campari, and a hefty pour of Okinawa Gin. It’s spirit-forward, and the Okinawa shines the brightest, the way it should be. 

Curious? Masahiro Okinawa Japanese gin sells at Php2,500 SRP. You may find Okinawa gin in various online liquor stores. Try hjpwinesandspirits.com, manila-wine.com, and boozy.ph.