UKIYO Japanese Blossom Gin, 40%, 70 cl

Product Information

To qualify for this category, the gin must not have any flavour, maceration or botanicals added post distillation. THE JUDGING CRITERIA Made with a combination of 22 local Scottish herbs, it tastes like adventuring through the hedgerows of the Scottish Isles — and is the ideal base for a punchy gin martini. The shortlisted finalists will be decided by a judging panel that includes the Co-Founders of The Gin To My Tonic, Craft Distiller Partners, Key Influencers, Bartenders, Mixologists, Mixer Brands and Associated Drinks Bodies/Clubs, with the winners being decided by public vote over a 5 month voting period. The result is said to be a balanced spirit, celebrating Japan’s ‘bounty of blossom’. The liquid is recommended served in a gin and tonic, or in a Spritz. Then it’s over to the gin loving public! This is their unique opportunity to have their say over the next 5 months. Award Bars will be introduced at our Gin Festivals, Tasting Kits will go LIVE on The Gin To My Tonic Store and Virtual Tasting Events scheduled, all with a call to action to encourage gin lovers to vote.

The UK gin market has exploded in recent years with hundreds of distilleries opening in the past two years across the country. As part of our continued endeavours we are keen to nurture growth, promote talent, encourage innovation and raise awareness of fantastic small batch craft distillers, and as such we will be rewarding one distillery with a year's worth of marketing and event support in 2024 (all costs covered).

You may know Amarula for its long-loved cream liqueur, but the brand’s first foray into gin-making has been nothing short of spectacular. The base of wild marula fruit spirit gives it a distinctly tropical lilt, while brighter bursts of orange peel and lightly spiced grains of paradise round out the blend. At Home Tasting Kits will be sold on The Gin To My Tonic Online Store for each Award Category, offering the public the opportunity to become judges from the comfort of their own home.

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.” As the birthplace of gin, we had high expectations for this Dutch bottle – and it delivered. There’s nothing run of the mill about it; the wheat-based spirit eschews the traditional botanical line-up in favour of a complex, fruit-forward mix of white peach, raspberry and Turkish rose. From the makers of Bruichladdich whisky, The Botanist gin has a sophisticated citrus-forward flavour that pairs well with tonic and ice. Made in exclusive batches, you won’t find Oxley lining the shelves of your local — which is exactly why we love it. A cold distillation process captures botanicals at their freshest, resulting in a powerful gin and a higher ABV to match. This coveted award will be shortlisted to between eight - twelve finalists by our panel of expert judges. The winner will be decided by the public over a 5 month voting period commencing 31st May, with votes driven through a variety of different content, events, tastings and experiences.

Ukiyo Rice Vodka was launched in December last year, and is 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. This category is sure to be hotly contested and any gin used in a Martini needs to have a real sense of character. THE JUDGING CRITERIA