Worst I've have to drink but makes an excellent window cleaner

Comparing Etsu with its more popular cousin Roku. Roku gin is nicely balanced, fresh and citrusy with a definite whiff of juniper. The floral and citrus elements spread out before you in a complex flavour and your attention seems to bounce about between them. At the same time it is soft and subtle with no one flavour too dominant and then has a pleasantly long lingering finish without any overly bitter notes. Goes well on rocks. Although fairly similar to Roku, Etsu is surprisingly different. You sense a bit more juniper than expected for a Japanese gin. The botanicals – again fairly traditional but including bitter green orange peel, sansho, yuzu and licorice – gel into one lovely united front on your palate combining seamlessly into a wonderful pepperiness with floral and citric notes that reminds you a little of a high quality tequila. It’s not subtle and nuanced like Roku but the polar opposite: concentrated vs diffuse, punchy vs smooth. Goes well with tonic and peppery cocktails.

I purchased this as a birthday gift. The recipient was delighted to receive my gift as she told me that she'd been wanting to include this in her gin collection for some time as she had heard so many positive vibes about it.

I purchased this as the packaging drew me in. Unfortunately it completely ruins any negroni or martini. Might be better suited to a GnT or mixed drink.

This Gin was disappointing, beautifully labelling in a attractivebottle. The after taste is not nice, and leaves a unpleasant taste in your mouth. Wouldn't buy again.

Any Gin needs to be savoured with quality tonics. I found Fever Tree Indian, Capi Tonic, East Imperial & Strangelove coastal the best with Etsu & also with less tonic than usual. Contrary to a couple of previous reviews, Etsu does not exhibit overly licorice tones whatsoever --- as a general rule not only do I loathe anything even with mildest flavours of licorice/aniseed/fennel/angelica I will always react with a grimace when such flavours hit me. This gin incredibly smooth with an amazing balance of flavours & yuzu is Definitely noticeable. It's also one of the few gins one can sip simply on the rocks.