It’s been a while, I’m Sugikawa, a YASO distiller.
It has been several months since I have written a diary.
It has been hot and humid here in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, and we have been sweating.
The new distillery is nearing completion, and the entire distilling team is looking forward to that day.
The limited edition for July is Earl Grey tea-scented gin.
Did you know? The black tea Earl Grey is actually a type of flavored tea.
The flavor is made from a citrus fruit called bergamot.
It is the same fragrant fruit that was used in the limited edition product in January of this year.
I looked up the origin of Earl Grey in my diary and writings on social networking sites.
It is said to have come from the Earl of Grey in England, but the details are unknown.
I was surprised that the origin of the name is surprisingly vague, even though it is named after so many people.
But even without such historical evidence, it is wonderful that it is loved by people all over the world simply because it is delicious.
The tea leaves used for this Earl Grey tea are Murakami black tea grown in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture.
This black tea grown by Fujimien in Murakami City, located in the northernmost part of Niigata Prefecture, is also known as “Yukiguni Kocha” and is sold at souvenir shops in the prefecture.
This Japanese black tea has a mild flavor with little astringency, thanks to the techniques refined in the harsh environment of Murakami with its long winters and short hours of sunlight.
Murakami City is famous for its salted salmon, but it is also a truly wonderful city with delicious sake and delicious black tea.
Personally, if you have a chance to visit Niigata, it is one of the places you should definitely stop by.
Such mellow Japanese black tea is made with bergamot grown at Yamada Olive Garden in Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture.
This bergamot was also featured in the January Limited Edition, but while the blue skin and leaves were used in the previous edition, this time the yellow ripe bergamot skin and pulp are used, which were harvested later in the season.
The yellow ripe bergamot has a milder and more fruity aroma than the blue one, and when distilled, it gently envelops the mellow aroma of Murakami black tea.
During these hot days, we recommend a gin and tonic made with Earl Grey gin and tonic water poured into a well-chilled glass with ice and lightly stirred.
The Earl Grey flavor is softly fragrant with the sound of the sparkling carbonation.
I hear that Earl Grey tea is more fragrant when it is hot, so I would like to try it with hot water when it gets chilly.
I would also like to try a cocktail with milk at a later date, since Earl Grey is known as milk tea.
However, I am a complete cocktail novice, so I would be very happy if you could share some of your favorite gin cocktails or your favorite ways to drink YASO on social networking sites, etc.
We, the distilling team, are always excited to hear about the different ways you like to drink YASO.
So, the limited edition product for July is Earl Grey Tea gin.
It will be on sale on Friday, July 15.
Please look forward to it.
