Komasa 'Sakurajima Komikan' Mandarin Flavored Gin, Japan

Bright mandarin oil, gentle piney juniper, and a clean shochu-like lift set the tone for Komasa “Sakurajima Komikan” Mandarin Flavored Gin, Japan. Built around the intensely fragrant peel of the tiny Sakurajima komikan, this bottling leans into a restrained botanical set that lets citrus speak clearly rather than getting lost in excess spice. It is a confident, modern expression from Komasa Jyozo, a long-running distilling house that continues to translate local ingredients into spirits with precision and purpose.

Product Details:

• Owner: Tomohisa Komasa
• Distiller: Kazuhiro Omuta
• Category: Botanical gin
• Base Spirit: Honkaku shochu
• Primary Botanicals: Sakurajima komikan mandarin, juniper berry, coriander
• ABV: 45%

Sensory Description:

Aromatically, it opens with vivid, freshly expressed mandarin peel and a soft floral citrus perfume that feels natural and lifted rather than sweet. Juniper remains present but carefully measured, offering cool pine and a subtle peppery edge, while coriander adds quiet warmth that extends the citrus through the mid-palate. Compared to many modern citrus-driven gins, this expression is notably clean and transparent, avoiding heaviness or overt sweetness. The honkaku shochu base contributes a crisp, dry structure and a smooth, food-friendly finish, allowing the Sakurajima komikan character to linger with clarity and poise.

Producer’s Background:

Founded in 1883, Komasa Jyozo is a historic Japanese distillery with deep roots in shochu production. Building on generations of distilling expertise, the house expanded into gin with a philosophy centered on place, restraint, and ingredient integrity. By using their own honkaku shochu as a base spirit and spotlighting regional botanicals such as Sakurajima komikan, Komasa bridges traditional technique with contemporary expression.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well chilled or over clear ice to highlight the mandarin aromatics before the juniper unfolds. In a Gin & Tonic, pair with a crisp, dry tonic and a minimal citrus garnish to keep the profile precise and lifted. It also performs beautifully in a restrained Martini or as a clean highball with soda, particularly alongside seafood, tempura, or citrus-accented dishes where its delicacy can complement rather than dominate.