Ukiyo launches in Australia

Black Irish owner Kirker Greer Spirits has debuted its Japanese gin and vodka brand Ukiyo in Australia.

Japanese vodka and gin producer Ukiyo has secured a listing with drinks retailer Dan Murphy’s, with its Ukiyo’s Blossom Gin, Yuzu Gin, and Rice Vodka to be distributed across Australia.

John Soden, chief commercial officer of Kirker Greer Spirits, said: “There has been a huge demand for the Ukiyo brand across Europe, with the two gins and vodka selling out even before launch, and we are delighted to see it gain further momentum globally. We look forward to working with the team at Dan Murphy’s to accelerate the growth of Ukiyo in Australia.”

The Ukiyo Rice Vodka was launched in December last year, and was crafted on the tropical island of Okinawa. It was produced in a distillery that makes the local rice spirit awamori, a liquid indigenous to Okinawa.

The gins were crafted on Japan’s Kyushu Island, with locally sourced grains distilled into shōchū. The shōchū is then infused with botanicals including juniper, mandarin and spices.

All spirits produced by Ukiyo are bottled at 40% ABV. The rice vodka is presented in a smoked glass bottle, while the gins sit in a two-colour graduated bottle, reflecting the mountains and oceans of Japan.

Ukiyo Rice Vodka made it to number 11 in our top 50 most innovative spirits launches of 2021.

Kirker Greer Spirits also distributes whiskey-and-stout spirit drink Black Irish. A trademark dispute between Mariah Carey and Black Irish recently resulted in the singer being unable to sell her cream liqueur of the same name in the European Union.