Love Drinks has expanded its exceptional collection of high-class spirits with the addition of two delicious gins from Etsu, which have now been introduced to the hospitality sector.
These gins, part of the Ikigai Collection curated by BBC Spirits, have garnered multiple awards and were among the pioneers of Japanese gin in the market.
The Etsu duo, meaning 'pleasure' in Japanese, are produced by the Asahikawa and Akita distilleries located in Hokkaido and Honshu Island respectively. Drawing inspiration from ancestral Asian recipes, these gins incorporate locally sourced herbs, spices, and citrus fruits to capture the authentic essence of Japan in every bottle.
Etsu uses sugar cane molasses to provide a distinctive roundness but it’s the regular use of orange peel and yuzu as botanicals that sets the gins apart. The gins are reduced to their required abv’s by using spring water from the Taisetsu mountains.
Samantha Burke, Managing Director of Love Drinks, commented: “Interest in our Japanese whiskies and liqueurs has been blossoming this spring, so it was a no brainer to roll out the Etsu Gin ahead of National Gin Day and the summer. The superior selection is fantastically unique, so the brand is definitely one to watch.”
The Etsu range now available through Love Drinks in 70cl bottles includes: Etsu Gin – 43% abv
Made at the Asahikawa distillery, Etsu Original is a smooth and elegant Japanese gin with a zesty taste profile. The botanicals such as yuzu, spices and herbs macerate for 24 hours before distillation. Floral and vegetal on the nose with pronounced citrus and yuzu notes on the palate, it is fresh and well-balanced with pepper notes and a touch of liquorice before a rounded, silky finish.
Etsu Pacific Ocean Water Gin – 45% abv
Spring water from the mountains and water from the Sea of Japan are added to carefully selected botanicals, such as juniper berry, bitter orange peel, liquorice root, angelica and coriander to produce this unique gin, which captures the essence of the Japanese coast in a bottle. The gin has iodine notes on the nose, which balance perfectly with yuzu on the palate before a smooth and refreshing finish.
The Etsu roll-out follows Love Drinks’ launch of whiskies from the Kurayoshi Distillery in November 2022 and the widely acclaimed Japanese ‘La’ Liqueur trio in February of this year.
Greg Kimber, Director for UK & Ireland at BBC Spirits, said: “The fascination in our Japanese brands has been off the Richter scale so far in 2023 so it is great to roll-out these incredible Etsu Gins ahead of a huge summer. They offer something completely different to anything else on the market so we’re confident they will find fans amongst the UK’s discerning gin gang.”
About Love Drinks
Love Drinks is an independent import, distribution and marketing company for premium quality spirits, liqueurs and craft beers. Their portfolio represents quality, craft-distilled and family-owned brands that have a rich provenance, heritage and history.
Founded by Kirsty Loveday BEM in 2007, Love Drinks represent Abelha Organic Cachaça, The Bitter Truth Cocktail Range of Bitters and Liqueurs, Conker Distillery, Einstök Icelandic Craft Beers, Goslings Bermuda Rums, Hernö Gins, The Ikigai Collection from BBC Spirits, Pedrino Spritz, White Heron Drinks and the Recuerdo and ZIGNUM® Mezcal Brands.
Love Drinks holds the silver accreditation for Investors in People and pioneered Love Well – an initiative to help the health and wellbeing of people working in the hospitality industry. The company was named Drinks Business Drinks Distributor of the Year in 2019.