Hello, I am Sugikawa, a YASO distiller.
I will be in charge of this month's diary as well, since the start of writing has been delayed due to the flurry of activities during the year-end and New Year's holidays.

The first limited edition of 2023 is "Yuzu Kosho Gin"
Yuzu kosho is a seasoning originating in Kyushu, made by grinding yuzu and chili peppers, adding salt, and aging the mixture.
It became popular nationwide in the 2000s, and many people probably keep it in their homes at all times.

It was around November, I believe, when I proposed such a yuzu kosho gin as a limited edition product.
For 2023, we want to create not only a limited edition product that highlights one key botanical, but also a product that combines multiple botanicals... We were talking about what to make for our first product when the three of us gathered in front of the distiller.
The base gin, the new THE HERBALIST YASO GIN, has increased the amount of yuzu in it and added green chili peppers, making this gin a perfect match for YASO's aroma, making it a perfect first release.

Yuzu (Wakayama Prefecture) yuzu and green chili pepper from Chiba Prefecture were used to express the rich aroma of yuzu kosho and the spiciness that spreads gradually in the gin.

Two varieties of green chilies are used. The hot, pungent hot chili pepper and the tasty, sweet chili pepper are each distilled on their own.

In addition, the yuzu is distilled in two different ways to extract the fresh aroma and the strong yuzu flavor, respectively.
These four types of spirits are blended in a well-balanced manner with the base gin, and the result is this yuzu kosho gin.

It is a perfect zin for meals, going well not only with hot pot and oden, but also with gyoza (dumplings), fried chicken, and other dishes.
Sugikawa recommends a gin soda made snow style with a quickly dampened and salted rim of the glass.
The addition of saltiness, which is not included in the gin, increases the yuzu kosho sensation dramatically.

Sugikawa, who loves spicy drinks, suggested this yuzu kosho gin.
In fact, there is another chili pepper called "Kagura Nanban" that I would like to make into a product someday.
A large, tasty pepper shaped like a bell pepper, grown in Niigata.
The green chili peppers turned out to be delicious, so I am thinking of making this Kagura Nanban someday, and also a gin inspired by Kanzuri, a specialty of Joetsu City....

The January limited edition is Yuzu Kosho Gin. It will go on sale on Sunday, January 15.
Please look forward to it.