Japanese Dry Gin · The Kyoto Distillery · Rice Spirit Base
Kyoto's first gin, and still the one everyone measures the others against. Ki No Bi is built on a rice spirit rather than grain, cut with water from Fushimi — the district that has made Japan's sake for four centuries — and given eleven botanicals distilled in six separate groups before they are ever allowed to meet.
The Kyoto Distillery is founded to make one thing only — gin — at a time when Japan had no dedicated gin distillery at all.
Rice, Not Grain
The base is a rice spirit rather than the neutral grain used almost everywhere else. It gives the gin a softer, slightly sweet weight that carries the delicate botanicals.
Six Distillations
The eleven botanicals are grouped into six families and distilled separately — base, citrus, tea, herbal, spice, fruit and floral — then blended. Nothing is allowed to bully anything else.
Fushimi Water
Cut with the soft water of Fushimi, the district that has supplied Kyoto's sake brewers for centuries.
What Sets It Apart
A Rice Base
Softer and rounder than a grain spirit under the botanicals
Distilled in Groups
Six separate runs, blended — not one crowded pot
Genuinely Local
Yuzu, gyokuro tea, hinoki and sansho — all Japanese
The Bottle
Washi-style label and green glass — it gives itself away
Tasting Profile
Yuzu
Juniper
Green Tea
Sansho Spice
YuzuHinoki CypressGyokuro TeaSansho PepperBamboo
How to Serve It
Tonic and Yuzu
A light tonic and a strip of lemon or yuzu peel — nothing heavier
Martini
Stirred very cold with a dry vermouth, lemon twist, no olive
Soda Highball
Tall, very cold, hard soda — the Japanese way to drink it
Pairs Well With
Sashimi
Clean, cold and citrus-led — it was built for this
Tempura
The sansho pepper cuts straight through the batter
Salted Edamame
The simplest thing to put beside a highball
Citrus Desserts
Lemon tart, yuzu posset, anything sharp and cold
The Finishing Touches
Green Velvet Gift Box
Our signature presentation box, added at checkout.
Hand-Tied Ribbon
Wide cream satin, tied by hand into a full bow.
Signature Gift Bag
Our matching gift bag, so it's ready to hand over on arrival.
Your Message
Add a personal note at checkout — we'll include it with the delivery.
Sending it as a surprise? Enter the recipient's address at checkout and we'll deliver straight to their door, boxed, ribboned and carrying your message — in as little as 30–45 minutes anywhere in London.
How We Deliver
London · 30–45 Minutes
Delivered to your door 24/7, 365 days a year, across Greater London.
UK-Wide Delivery
Express in 1–2 business days, standard in 3–5. Rates shown at checkout.
Tracked & Confirmed
Shipment confirmation with live tracking sent to your email.
Challenge 21
Age verified on delivery — 18+ ID required. Responsible retailing, always.
At a Glance
Origin
Kyoto, Japan
Style
Japanese dry gin
Base Spirit
Rice
Botanicals
Eleven, in six groups
ABV
45.7%
Bottle Size
70cl
Questions
What does yuzu actually taste like?
Somewhere between a grapefruit, a mandarin and a lime, with a floral edge none of those have. It is the lead note here, and it is why Ki No Bi tastes recognisably like gin and yet unmistakably Japanese.
Why does a rice base matter?
Most gin is built on neutral grain spirit, which is deliberately flavourless. A rice spirit is not quite neutral — it carries a soft, faintly sweet weight that gives the delicate botanicals something to sit on rather than disappearing into.
Is it too delicate for a gin and tonic?
Not at all, but choose the tonic carefully. A light or Mediterranean-style tonic lets the yuzu and tea through; a heavily quinined one will flatten them. Garnish with citrus peel rather than fruit or herbs.
Who is this a good gift for?
The gin drinker who thinks they have tried everything, and anyone who loves Japan. It is also one of the better-looking bottles you can put in front of someone — the label is modelled on Japanese washi paper and the whole thing looks like it cost more than it did.
Can you deliver it directly to the person I'm gifting?
Yes — enter their address at checkout and add your message. In London it can be at their door within 30–45 minutes, any hour of the day. The recipient must be 18+ with ID for our Challenge 21 check.
Why Buy From Drinks House 247
✔ 100% authentic stock✔ 4.8★ Google · 223 reviews✔ Gift-boxed and ribboned✔ Open 24/7, 365 days✔ London's 24-hour spirits house, based in Battersea
18+ Please enjoy Ki No Bi responsibly. For guidance and support, visit drinkaware.co.uk.
