Nozawa Onsen Iwai Gin is a premium gin from the Nozawa Onsen Distillery, located in the Japanese Alps of Nagano Prefecture. "Iwai" means "celebration" in Japanese, and this gin is crafted to reflect the spirit of the region's spring harvest.
Key Features:
- Origin: Nozawa Onsen Village, Kita Shinshu, Japan.
- Distillate Base: Rice.
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Botanicals: A delicate blend of:
- Sakura Leaf (Cherry Blossom): Provides intense aroma and a delicate, sweet taste reminiscent of Japanese sakura mochi.
- Sumomo (Japanese Plum): Hand-picked in the valley below Nozawa Onsen, contributing a juicy quality and a slightly sour taste.
- Kumamoto Lemon: Sourced from Kumamoto, offering a subtle and sweet, warm orange-like flavor that adds body.
- Applewood: Adds a faintly sweet, woody undertone.
- Water: Made with pristine mountain spring water filtered through the earth for 50 years.
- Distillation: Distilled in traditional copper pot stills.
- ABV: 42% (84 proof).
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Soft and inviting, with notes of cherry blossom and plum nectar, followed by hints of lemon zest and sweet spring flowers. Some also detect bright citrus zest and fresh herbs.
- Palate: Delicately layered and silky on the tongue. Sakura leaf lends floral elegance, while sumomo plum adds a gentle tartness. The mid-palate brings a mellow fruitiness reminiscent of ripe orchard fruits, lifted by Kumamoto lemon's brightness and rounded out with applewood for a faintly sweet, woody undertone. Some also note hints of lemongrass, cucumber, and subtle pepper.
- Finish: Clean and subtly perfumed with lingering floral-fruity notes and a whisper of dry spice. Some describe it as crisp and delicate with lingering floral and citrus complexity.
Awards and Recognition:
Nozawa Onsen Iwai Gin has received significant recognition:
- Gold (96 Points) at the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) 2024.
- Gold (90 Points) at the SFWSC (San Francisco World Spirits Competition) 2024.
- Gold at the SIP Awards 2023.
Overall Impression:
Nozawa Onsen Iwai Gin is celebrated as a fruity and floral gin that beautifully captures the essence of spring in the Nozawa region. Its unique blend of Japanese botanicals, pure water, and careful distillation results in a smooth and aromatic spirit that is excellent on its own with tonic or in delicate cocktails.
