Distillery
Asahikawa
Asahikawa is the production site linked to the ETSU Gin expressions on the island of Hokkaido. Production highlights Japanese botanicals (yuzu, bitter orange, coriander, etc.) and some cuvées incorporate deep Pacific Ocean water to impart a distinctive saline/mineral character.
- Asahikawa · Hokkaido · Japan
- 3 products
The story
No public foundation data is reported. The ETSU brand site indicates that Asahikawa is the location where some expressions of the range are produced (including Etsu The Original and Etsu Pacific Ocean Water) and describes the production link with the Hokkaido territory and the waters of the Taisetsu mountains.
Production philosophy
Focus on artisanal quality, environmental respect and enhancement of local natural elements: typical Japanese botanicals, pure mountain waters and, for some references, ocean water that contributes to the product identity.
Territory
Hokkaido (northern island of Japan), city of Asahikawa; reference to the waters of the Taisetsu mountains and the Pacific marine environment as sources of inspiration.
Awards and recognition
The ETSU range reports recognitions at the Global Gin Masters (examples reported by the producer: Master 2022; Gold 2023; Gold 2025 for some expressions).
Production method
Production includes maceration of botanicals (for example 22 hours for some expressions; other cuvées use longer macerations and distillations without botanicals), distillation in a copper pot still to extract aromatic components, subsequent reduction to the desired alcohol strength and filtration. Some expressions are not chill-filtered; for Etsu Pacific Ocean Water a portion of deep seawater is added during reduction.
Distillation
Maceration of botanicals (duration varies by cuvée), distillation in a copper pot still with botanicals or, in some variants, distillation without botanicals for greater finesse; high alcohol output followed by reduction with water (in some cases integrated with ocean water) and final filtration.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Asahikawa
- Categories
- Japanese gin
- artisanal gin
- premium gin
- citrus-flavored gin
- marine gin
- Raw materials
- alcohol from molasses (cane sugar)
- mountain water (Taisetsu)
- Pacific ocean water (for some expressions)
- juniper berries
- yuzu
- bitter orange peel
- coriander seeds
- licorice root
- angelica root
- matcha (in some variants)
- Representative products
- Gin Etsu Japan Pacific Ocean Water 70cl
- Gin Etsu Japan Premium Double Yuzu 70cl
- Gin Etsu Japanese 70cl
What makes it distinctive
- Production site for ETSU expressions indicated as originating from Asahikawa (Hokkaido).
- Etsu Pacific Ocean Water: integration of deep Pacific Ocean water for a mineral/saline character.
- Declared processes: controlled maceration, copper distillation, not chill‑filtered to preserve aromas.
- Use of typical Japanese botanicals (yuzu, matcha in some versions, etc.).
- ETSU range recognized in international competitions (see awards).