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Ki No Bi Edition G is ‘first’ Champagne cask-aged gin
Japan’s Kyoto Distillery has partnered with Champagne house Henri Giraud to create Ki No Bi Edition G – thought to be the first gin aged in Champagne barriques.
Only limited quantities of Ki No Bi Edition G were released in Japan and proved so popular they sold out in one day. The expression was based on the Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin expression.
Bottled at 48% abv, Ki No Bi Edition G has an RRP of JP¥10,000 (US$92). It will be rolled out to the rest of the world later this year, likely in autumn.
The collaboration came about after the 12th generation owner of Champagne house Henri Giraud – Claude Giraud – visited the Japanese distillery. Alex Davies is head distiller at The Kyoto Distillery.
The gin was then left to rest in oak barriques sourced from the Champagne region’s Argonne Forest that previously held Henri Giraud Champagne.
The gin is said to have a “wonderful fruity and vanilla mouthfeel and a long finish”.
Ki No Bi Edition G is recommended mixed with soda water or served in a French 75.
Founded by Marcin Miller and David Croll in 2015, The Kyoto Distillery released its first expression, rice spirit-based Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin, in January 2017.
In May that year, the distillery released two new expressions: Ki No Tea and Ki No Bi Navy Strength.
An “evolution” of its navy strength gin was released across Europe last year – Ki No Bi Sei.