Echigo medicinal herbs and 16 people's passion for them become one gin.
December 2024 - A groundbreaking collaboration between 16 bartenders and Echigo Yakuso has begun to move toward a single dream. The passion to "enliven Niigata's bar scene" and "deliver the rich charm of the local area in a single glass of gin" crystallized into a project to develop an original craft gin, "THE HERBALIST YASO GIN NIIGATA 16 BARTENDERS 1st".
Since its formation, the production team has held numerous discussions and repeated tastings and prototypes in pursuit of the ideal gin. Finally, after about a year of work, on November 11, 2025, this special craft gin will make its full appearance at a bar in Niigata. It is a limited production of only 200 bottles, which will not be distributed to the general public.
The "salty & citrus" taste of "Sado," the "Sea of Japan," and the "sunset
For this first phase, the three concept words "Sado (World Heritage Site)," "Sea of Japan," and "sunset" were set as the core words, and the flavor theme was set to "salty & citrus" so that the rich climate and scenery of Niigata could be felt with all five senses.
In addition to juniper berries, the core of the gin, Sado mandarin peel, Sado lemon peel, and algal salt were carefully selected as key botanicals. The mellow sweetness from the Sado mandarin orange, the intense freshness from the Sado lemon, and the deep flavor, minerality, and unique saltiness from the algal salt are in perfect harmony. The moment you take a sip, you will feel as if the sun setting over the Sea of Japan and the magnificent scenery of Sado Island will vividly unfold, providing you with an irreplaceable experience.
The bottle design features a "sunset" on the Nanaura Coast of Sado Island, selected as one of the top 100 sunsets in Japan, and a bright orange line on the bottle, inspired by one of the key botanicals, "Sado mandarin oranges," to further emphasize the special nature of this limited edition product. Furthermore, a map of Niigata Prefecture is also featured on the bottle to show the pride and roots of the region. The design is visually appealing, and the moment you pick up the bottle, you can feel the "Niigata" in your hand.
THE HERBALIST YASO GIN NIIGATA 16 BARTENDERS 1st" is a special craft gin that is filled with ingredients nurtured in the rich local nature, thoughts like the setting sun that warmly illuminates Niigata's future, and the passion of 16 people. Starting with this, the 2nd and 3rd series will continue to introduce new tastes of Niigata to the world.
Niigata Gin & Tonic, the ultimate drink
The "Niigata Gin & Tonic" is an original cocktail created by the team to maximize the appeal of this gin. It was conceived with the image of "a beautiful sunset on the Sea of Japan. The drink will remind you of the scenery and aroma of Niigata.
The glass is decorated with a "salt wave style" representing the rough waves of the Sea of Japan, and "Niigata-born round ice and circular orange peel, reminiscent of a sunset," to clearly convey the concept through both taste and sight. The gin and tonic is designed to be "accessible to everyone, yet unique to Niigata," so that everyone can enjoy it to their heart's content.
Participating Stores
AQUA BAR: 216 Tagiri, Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture
GANKI BAR ZAIGO: 4-3-3 Nakamachi, Joetsu City
BAR PORTE: Ex Court Imai 5F, 3-1-9 Sakanoue-cho, Nagaoka City
Baby Chaplin: Cosmo Ichibankan Bldg. 5F, 2-3-5 Sakanoue-cho, Nagaoka City
Bar B&B: Cosmo Ichibankan Bldg. 1F, 2-3-5 Sakanoue-cho, Nagaoka City
Shot Bar THE CELLAR：Ote Seven Bldg. 2F, 2-2-1 Otedori, Nagaoka City
ShotBar BEST: 2F Lake Wado, 1-5-14 Higashisaka-no-Ue-cho, Nagaoka City
Shotbar Angie: 1-4-1 Tonomachi, Nagaoka-shi, Nagaoka, Japan
BAR 101PROOF: 2F Hisatomi Building, 2-3-4 Tonomachi, Nagaoka City
Malt & Spirits Bar Cask: East Moat PLUS 2F, 1407-7 Higashiboridori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City
Bar edenHall: 1F, 1-5-17 Yoneyama, Chuo-ku, Niigata City
Bar Chetta: 3-2-17 Benten, Chuo-ku, Niigata City
Bar FARO: 1F, 9-1401 Higashiboridori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City
Sky Bar Lion Doll: 5-11-20 Bandai, Chuo-ku, Niigata City
Boire un coup: 2F, Markoshibiru, 3-12-1 Chuo-cho, Shibata City
