Event: Discovering Kokoro Gin at Nippon Kitchen

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

My neighbour Kokoro

I love gin, it’s true. Last time I counted we had 15 bottles with everything from African gin made in Malawi to tea-infused gin, quince-flavoured gin and cacao gin.  As well as a love for all things gin, I also love Japan, so an invitation to find out more about Kokoro Gin, a Japanese gin, was right up my street.

The night was hosted by Nippon KItchen, which I’m a big fan of. It was a bit humid however founder James Nicol sorted us all out with a Kokoro Gin perfect serve: Kokoro over ice with a twist of lemon and a large sliver of ginger. Perfect indeed!

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

We settled down with a gin to hear about Uncle Nic and the story behind Kokoro Gin.

Uncle Nic, is an adventurous soul and sounds like the kind of uncle everyone should have.  He has been an arctic explorer, wrestler, author and has even advertised whisky.  After such an eclectic life, he settled down in then Kurohime area of the Nagano prefecture for a more relaxing life (when we were in the Nagano area last year we sampled some local sake and beer but were unaware of the gin at the time).

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

Over the years Uncle Nic became part of the land.  Embracing the lifecycle and appreciating the care needed to maintain the surrounding forestry.  This included buying the land surrounding his house as developers were circling and threatening the natural balance. Now with 30 hectares of forest, safe from development, he has donated the land back to the Japanese people.

Within these forests grow Sansho berries. These small berries are packed with an intense flavour. Eat one and you can taste why this is a perfect ingredient for gin. Citrusy, peppery and a warm long-lasting tingle.

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

Placing my nose into the bowl of berries is like sniffing a fragrant Thai curry with lemongrass and sweet smelling pepper.

The berries are hand-picked and frozen for travel to the UK where, along with botanicals such as Juniper, lemon peel, sweet orange, almond, angelica, licorice and coriander seeds, the gin is distilled.

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

The branding of Kokoro Gin is simple.  Kokoro means ‘heart’ in Japanese which reflects the ‘heart of the forest’, which is at the heart of the spirit and the family.  The associated artwork has been designed by Guy McKinlay. These drawings are delicate but with lots of detail, they reflect what Japan is to me – complex but also simple. Appreciate the simple things in life, such as a gin but also appreciate what is needed for these things to be created.

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

We got to try a selection of dishes served with a matching Kokoro Gin cocktail.

First up was a mix of vegetable, seafood and chicken gyoza served with Tanuki cocktail: Kokoro Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, peach liquor, sake and ginger ale.

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

Next course: salmon and sea bass sashimi served with Tsuki no wa guma, Kokoro, elderflower honey and green tea.

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

Our final course was flamed fillet beef and eel nigiri served with Inoshishi. This was like a Japanese negroni with Kokoro, Aperol, Campari, sake and plum.

Kokoro Gin sansho berry Japanese inspired Gin

Each dish was delicious and the matching gin cocktails were given a thumbs up by all.

Kokoro Gin can be bought online.

Emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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2 Comments

  1. C.W.Nicol

    I greatly appreciated and enjoyed this excellent presented article.My mouth watered at the food. If you come back to Japan drop by and let me cook you a meal!
    Nic

    1. Glasgow Foodie

      Thank you! I’d love to come back to Japan, if we do we’ll certainly pop in!

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