A Japanese-inspired gin has launched in Manchester – so let the festivities beGIN

Whether you like it in a martini or just straight up, every one needs to discover a good gin or two.

Perhaps more than any other classic spirit, gins differ significantly since each possesses a unique identity of its own, thanks to each recipe’s different combination of botanicals. Needless to say, exploring them can be an interesting and worthwhile process.

KURO, a London Dry Gin which counts bamboo activated charcoal, silver birch bark, and spruce needles among its unique blend of botanicals, has been launched in Manchester at Impossible.

It was born out of a skiing trip to the Hakuba Valley region of Japan and aims to capture the essence of the Japanese Alps in its blend of botanicals.

On their return, friends Manchester-based Craig Fell and John Thomson decided to bottle their epic alpine experience and unleash it in the form of a premium London Dry Gin for gin lovers to enjoy.

KURO, which translates directly as ‘black’ in Japanese, contains 12 carefully chosen botanicals, including bamboo activated charcoal which creates a smooth and pure spirit, silver birch, spruce needles, coriander, orange, orris, nutmeg, juniper, angelina, lemon, liquorice and cinnamon.

Crafted at the renowned Langley Distillery, KURO Gin is distilled in a 300 litre copper still in collaboration with Langley’s master distiller, Rob Dorsett, who has more than delivered on the brief to create a unique and drinkable interpretation of Japan for KURO.

KURO Gin launches with listings in all seven Harvey Nichols department stores nationwide, leading spirits retailer, Master of Malt, and the brand’s own website, as well as a number of independent off licenses.

“KURO has been 18 months in the making and we’re delighted with the end product,” said Craig.

“This is something completely different in the world of gin, and we hope to have captured the experience of the Hakuba Valley alpine slopes in every serve of KURO. What started off as an idea during apres-ski has developed through many stages and taste tests, and we’re keen to hear the UK’s gin lovers verdict on our unique blend of botanicals.

“The thrill of the slopes, beauty of surroundings, and overall sensory experience has been contained in each of the 12 botanicals, namely the three lead ingredients, silver birch bark, spruce needles and bamboo activated charcoal, which make-up KURO’s core identity as an earthy, aromatic Japanese take on a London Dry Gin, which brings an intriguing alpine freshness to a classic spirit.”

KURO is also available in a number of premium bars and restaurants in Manchester, including Arcane.