I hate to counter my bestie and gin-god John on this, but Ki No Bi Navy Strength is probably my favorite gin. The complexity is unmatched, where the botanicals take a bit of a backstage to the citrus and texture, and since I don’t enjoy gin and tonics, rather, when I drink gin, I have it in an extra-dry martini, I can’t remember another gin that delivers such interest and enjoyment time after time…
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No doubt that Ki No Bi Sei is an excellent gin.
Todd you ought to find some Silent Pool, and some Sipsmith VJOP (it’s a navy strength) for martinis
if you say to, I will do so. Certainly I trust you in gin
agreed the Ki No Bi is great (Obi Wan)
fortunate to have bought a few bottles at Duty-Free in Tokyo
dark blue bottle is beautiful…don’t need this for everyday G&Ts however
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Was in Germany this past summer and one place used Rutte gin from Denmark - has anyone seen this for sale in the US? We couldn’t find in on the way home in any Duty Free spots.
Heading to Kyoto in next couple of weeks and will be picking up some more Ki No Bi, hoping we can do a tasting there.
Ki No Bi and its variants are widely distributed in Dallas and so I would assume most major metros.
Is Ki No Bi in the London Dry style?
I’m a sucker for anything new locally so I spent the $55 on this new flyer. Fancy packaging got me.
The claim is it’s a blend of Irish and Japanese styles, but I thought it was a capsaicin gin to start. After I settled in it’s clear that the heat is Red Hots candy. It’s not sweet, very dry but wow. It does have a hint of something like Roku on the finish but also something floral which I just hate in Gin.
Totally unbalanced imo, I would sample before jumping in.
Japanese London Dry Style? Overproof?
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At the duty free in Japan they had a Ki No Bi tasting and with a purchase I was given 2 Kyoto Distillery glasses
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speaking of freebies, the Monkey 47 750ml holiday gift pack also contains two stoneware beakers (“bechers”). Same price as the solo 750ml.
correction: after further review, the set contains a 375ml, and same price as solo 375.
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-for the record, I bought my Ki No Bi gin at duty free not knowing they were going to give me those Kyoto Distillery glasses
-no incentive to buy was needed LOL
-and who would buy the Monkey because of those ugly cups LOL
My go to is The Botanist. May have to try Ki No Bi.
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re: the Becher, I guess they’re supposed to be like a zalto for G&Ts.
from the monkey47 site:
"After several years of sensory research and experimenting with a variety of glasses in search of a healthy mind in a healthy body (the perfect gin and tonic as it were), we have adopted a completely new approach in our hunt for the perfect drinking vessel. In addition to upholding proven German craftsmanship and continuing traditions that have withstood the test of time, the form and functionality of this vessel allows a truly unique taste sensation: the earthenware cup for the perfect Monkey and Tonic.
Now long since forgotten but unique in its functionality, earthenware – like porcelain – is almost entirely sintered, thus rendering it non-translucent and giving it the particular charm of a hand-crafted item. The insulating properties of the clay enable the contents to be kept cool for longer while the special surface structure, which is created by adding salt during the firing process, helps to preserve the carbon dioxide content and thus produces a more distinctive and refined taste sensation.
In an elaborate process, each individual vessel made from clay is fired exclusively for us and then adorned by hand with the traditional “gauge” unit of measure. Only in our case, the measure of all things is… what else – the wild monkey.
It’s not that we only ever like to do things rustic-style in the Black Forest – but if something has a great past, you should give it a great future. That’s why the earthenware mug for Gin & Tonic should have pride of place on any bar counter worth its salt."
cost 30 euros for four in Germany, otherwise $15-20 each stateside, or two for free in the gift box.
more info:
The Becher Chronicles - Westerwald | Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin
from: Studio Mark Braun (designer):
Accessories - Monkey 47 — Mark Braun Studio
"Related to the story of Monkey 47’s heritage as the unique black forest gin The Becher has been designed by us to be a story telling and high quality tumbler for serving gin tonic. Ceramic is a material with a long tradition in the black forest region. Due to its specific density and low porosity, this ceramic tumbler serves very well as a cold accumulator which keeps drinks longer cold than an ordinary glass. Produced for monkey47 by August Kilburg & Söhne stoneware factory.
In the heart of Germany’s Westerwald region, a manufacturer with great heritage in craftmanship and deeply connected to the regional identity."
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Same here. While there are other guns I like, what I always have readily at hand at home is Botanist (with Fever Tree tonic). I also like Monkey 47 & Ki No Bi though.
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How do they compare?
Compared to Botanist, off the top of my head, Ki No Bi is lighter-footed, more focused, brisker & has more pronounced citrus in the finish. As to Monkey 47, it’s more savory, and has a more “serious” character (as opposed to Botanist’s “fun”).
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Had a great tasting in Kyoto @ The House of Ki No Bi - also enjoyed a fantastic Yuzu gimlet made with the standard gin. Tasted the Old Tom gin which reminded me slightly of rum. The House of KI NO BI｜The Kyoto Distillery INSPIRED BY TRADITION
Picked up a couple of bottles for a great price. The ‘Tea’ one is avail here in Seattle for $105/bottle so a no brainer to get it for ¥6000 ($39USD).
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