UKIYO Yuzu | Japanese | Craft | Gin | Citrus | Yuzu, Juniper & Coriander | Distilled with 5 native Japanese botanicals | 40% ABV | 70 cl

I like yuzu; it's an interesting citrus flavor, with a nice hint of bitterness. When I ordered this gin, I expected that the yuzu would be subtle, but it is way too strong. Making a martini - 6:1 ratio with Dolin vermouth - the yuzu burned. It was better with soda water, about 2:1, and almost tasted like a gin and tonic it was so strong. Even if you use this in cocktails, it's going to overpower just about any other ingredients. It's a nice concept, and has its uses, but be warned: it's not for everyone.

A nice crisp citrus gin, the bottle itself is gorgeous. Not the kind of taste you would find in UK shops. Would make a nice gift for someone that likes something a bit different

'Different' is the word. Yuzu appears to be the coming thing, a citrus fruit from Asia that resembles a grapefruit disguised as a lemon, and tastes more or less exactly like that, with a healthy slug of bergamot for good measure. Not a bad starting point for a citrus gin.Here we have a classic Japanese offering, in an intriguingly styled and coloured bottle. The interesting container shape is contrasted by the classically clean, minimalist labeling (I haven't read all the reviews on the internet, but if somebody doesn't [mis]use the word 'zen' at some point, I'll be astonished). The top is a slight disappointment -the styling is fine, but it is hewn from a block of pure plastic, which feels a touch low-rent compared to the rest in tactile terms. At 40% vol. it isn't the strongest gin on the market, but a reasonable mid-point as these things go, while the pricing, at around £40 for a 70cl bottle (give or take at the time of typing in August 2021) is reasonable for a craft, or semi-craft product.Opening gives a crisp, obvious yuzu scent, atop crisp grain alcohol, with the usual off-spicy note of juniper providing useful background notes. A good start. Lightly chilled, neat the citrus yuzu immediately dominates, with the juniper again providing a good background depth. Surprisingly for an obviously citrus-based profile, it is reasonably smooth too. Note that this is very much a dry offering however: if you are looking for a liqueur type, sweeter gin, this may not be for you.Cutting into a gin and tonic, with good quality tonic water makes an excellent medium - longer drink, crisp, bitter, with an interesting flavour profile and balance. It works reasonably in a greyhound cocktail, although I personally think its own profile tends to dominate so I would be inclined to use in the classic 'and tonic'. It seems best served chilled, like many gins.Overall, while not the most complex, this is a crisp, structurally clean gin, well-judged and balanced, which does justice to its dominant flavouring. If you like a quality citrus gin, it is well worth considering.

I'm a big fan of Japan, I've travelled there extensively - it's an amazing country - so I was excited to try this gin. As it turns out, it really wasn't for me. The citrus flavours are not subtle at all, they are in-your-face and very bold. There is a grapefruit-like bitterness that isn't exactly grapefruit - it's almost like there is a tinge of pineapple. Odd I know, they are sweet!That said, me and the wife are more classic G&T types, so this may well stand up to more mixing/cocktail use. I would say it's like comparing real scotch to Japanese Suntory whisky - which never sat well with me either. They never got whisky right and the smoothness was lost in the search to make it stand out (IMHO).Recommendation: if you like subtle gin flavours and a classic G&T, I would say this isn't for you. My wife loves Brooklyn & Sibling gin for example, and she really didn't like it at all. This is a million miles from that end of the market. If you like dry and big, seriously bold citrus flavours, then it's worth a go - I can imagine cocktail experts could really make use of this gin as it is very original indeed.Ultimately though, taste is subjective so I don't want to go lower than 3*. I'm sure they put the effort in, but it wasn't for us.

This arrived well packed and protected. the bottle is a streamline design almost in the style of a vase with the top drawing in with a mottled effect to a large opening and a silver plastic twist top lid. The front has a minimalist label detailing the 40% ALC/VOL along with stating it is distilled in Japan, overall a nice looking bottle although with the short neck it makes it slightly more difficult to pour than a standard bottle.First impressions: after opening it up I poured myself a small glass neat, the aroma is slightly sweet with a citrus overtone and a muted hint of spice. This is not a harsh gin and slightly more viscous than a standard gin, and I found it a pleasant drink on its own with a couple of cubes of ice. The after taste is warm with sweet citrus breaking through and a nice spice undertone.I have been drinking this with both tonic and lemonade with a slice of lemon, and think it’s a really nice and unusual gin, it mixes very well and I am really enjoying it.Overall a really nice unusual gin with a great flavour that mixes well, the only real issue I have is the bottle, although it is a unique design it is not very practical, I would have preferred to see a stopper rather than a plastic screw top and pouring it can be awkward with the short length to the neck of the bottle.

This is the first time I tried Japanese Gin. As gin is the national drink of the UK, I thought it would be interesting that I have some new experience. Honestly I don't really like the flavour but my friends all love it! I guess it's just different people's different tastes. The gin tastes a strong flavour of Yuzu citrus skin and it do smells very yuzu citrus after opening the bottle. And the ending part feels like vodka. The bottle is a graduated colour which would make a perfect gift for friends or for parties.