Alembic Distillery (Kanazawa, Japan)
Alembic Distillery was established in 2022 by Toshihiko Nakagawa and is situated in Kanazawa City, in a neighbourhood close to the port of Kanazawa where traditional soy sauce and miso breweries have been located for over 400 years. The distillery is named after the most historic and recognised distilling equipment,  Alembic stills, which have been used for many centuries. Meanwhile their signature gin, Alembic Dry Gin HACHIBAN, is named after the number eight (with the gin featuring 8 botanicals) and aims to complement food and accentuate its flavours, while taking inspiration from the nature and tradition of Kanazawa and the Hakusan mountains.
  • Distillery Location: 4-Ha17, Ono, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-0856, Japan 
  • ​Contact: Website / Email / Instagram

Alembic Dry Gin HACHIBAN (47% ABV)

  • Botanicals: 8 botanicals including juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root, lemon peel, orange peel, cassia, cacao nibs, kuromoji (spicebush). Base Spirit: Sugarcane.
  • Serving Suggestion: Gin & Tonic with a garnish of Cucumber or Ginger, or in a Gin Rickey or Gimlet.
  • Tasting Notes: Aromas of curry spice, citrus and earthy cacao notes. On the palate, juniper, citrus, and peppery curry spice. A spiced finish with warm cassia and earthy cacao notes.
The Gin Guide Review: Alembic Distillery's Hachiban Gin has a core that is rooted in traditional characteristics, but impressively it is also distinctive, interesting and has its own recognisable personality - all qualities that are increasingly hard to achieve and to find in the modern gin market. Juniper, citrus, curry notes of spicebush are at the fore, supported with citrus spice of coriander seeds, warm cassia, and earthy chocolate notes of cacao nibs, while there is a heartiness and very subtle sweet undertone that alludes to the sugarcane base spirit. With Tonic Water the gin louches and the spice notes settle to give depth and warmth alongside the orange and lemon citrus, while subtle cacao notes and cassia are gently present in a balanced and very enjoyable G&T. ​- Paul Jackson, 2023

Meet the Makers

"As I began preparations to start my own beer brewery, I engaged in discussions with top-class chefs, farmers, sake brewery masters, and aroma distillers, and expanded my vision. I eventually decided that I wanted to distill gin, which offers more freedom in terms of ingredient selection and production methods, rather than beer. We will continue to deeply imbibe the nature, culture, and spirit of Kanazawa, persistently crafting spirits that can only be made in this land and that elevate the region’s food." - Toshihiko Nakagawa, Founder
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For more Japanese gins and distilleries in Japan, visit our Japanese Gin Guide (coming soon).
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