Ukiyo and Jawbox launch in Canada

Drinksology Kirker Greer has launched its Jawbox Irish Gin and Ukiyo Japanese spirits range in Canada.

Kirker Greer’s Ukiyo Blossom Gin, Yuzu Gin and Rice Vodka, plus its Jawbox Gin, will be available in Canada’s off-trade and high-end cocktails bars and lounges.

John Soden, chief commercial officer of Kirker Greer Spirits, commented: “Ukiyo and Jawbox have already proven to be successful in key European markets thanks to key distribution partners, and we hope to emulate this success in the Canadian market.

“We look forward to working with our partners in Canada and seeing the brands roll out further in the country in the coming 12 months.”

The brand said it is continuing its international expansion after rolling out in Dubai’s duty free, Finland and Australia, as well as in UK supermarket Sainsbury’s.

All Ukiyo spirits are bottled at 40% ABV.

The Ukiyo gins are made in Kagoshima, in the shadow of the Sakurajima volcano.

Locally-grown grains are distilled into a traditional Japanese Shōchū spirit, which is then redistilled with key botanicals, including juniper, mandarin and spice.

Meanwhile, Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka is crafted on the island of Okinawa, in a distillery known for making the local rice spirit, Awamori.

The base of the vodka starts with a harvest of long-grain indica rice. This rice is inoculated with black kōji, fermented, and then distilled into the traditional Japanese Awamori spirit.

The spirit is then redistilled into Ukiyo’s pure rice vodka which has a delicately fragrant aroma and creamy mouthfeel.

The Jawbox gin range comprises three expressions: the Small Batch Gin, a Pineapple & Ginger flavoured gin, and Export Strength gin.

The Small Batch Gin is triple-distilled in traditional copper pot stills using a combination of 11 botanicals.