Despite its recent entry into the world of Japanese Gins, the Alembic Hachiban Dry Gin has been making waves amongst juniper lovers and even cinched the Double Gold medal at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 

This gin is distilled in Alembic Distillery, located in Kanazawa city, which is a neighbourhood that's close to the port of Kanazawa. For over 400 years, this area has been the hub of where traditional soy sauce and miso breweries have been making these soy-based products.

Port of Kanazawa (Image source: Kaname Inn)

The entrance to the Alembic Distillery. (Image source: Alembic Distillery)

Perhaps inspired by the strong tradition of food production in the area, founder Toshihiko Nakagawa established the Alembic Distillery with the aim of creating spirits that pay tribute to the nature and culture of the surrounding area. His father was also a chef, and hence, Nakagawa sought to create a gin that would pair well with everyday meals while also elevating the flavours and scents of Japanese cuisine. 

According to the brand, they used a heavier amount of juniper for added flavour. (Image source: Alembic Distillery)

The gin itself, called Hachiban (meaning 8), is named after the eight botanicals used during its distillation. The full list includes juniper, coriander seeds, cacao nibs, lemon peels, orange peels, Japanese yew, angelica root, and cassia. According to the brand, they used an extra large amount of juniper berries in their distillation to bring out more herbal, fresh flavours in the final product.  

Alembic Hachiban Dry Gin Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright juniper notes come through first, after which there’s an even brighter scent of lemon hard candy and finger limes, with a sort of mineral backbone. It’s really citrusy.

Taste: Gently sweet here, growing in pepperiness and spiciness, but keeps that perfumed quality that’s incredibly aromatic - a bed of roses to be specific. It also has a very nice oiliness to its texture that is mouth coating.

Finish: More of that juniper coming through, as well as some light florals. Moderate pepperiness into the finish.

My Thoughts

What stood out here was that it had a superbly lovely texture that was mouth coating and had a good thickness and creaminess to it. It’s really citrusy and floral - almost perfumed but in a very natural greenhouse sort of way. Overall, I found it evoked a very pleasant warmth, with a pepperiness that was well balanced even as it was juniper forward, without being harsh.

Happy sipping!

@lotusroot518