Manchester’s latest gin was born out of a skiing trip in the Hakuba Valley region of Japan, and aims to capture the essence of the Japanese Alps within its blend of botanicals.
Upon return, friends Manchester-based Craig Fell, and John Thomson sought to bottle their epic alpine experience and unleash it in the form of this premium London Dry Gin for gin lovers of Manchester and the UK to enjoy.
Crafted at the renowned Langley Distillery, KURO Gin is distilled in a 300 litre copper still in collaboration with Langley’s master distiller, Rob Dorsett, who has more than delivered on the brief to create a unique and drinkable interpretation of Japan for KURO.
KURO Gin launches with listings in all seven Harvey Nichols department stores nationwide, leading spirits retailer, Master of Malt, and the brand’s own website, KuroGin.co.uk, as well as a number of independent off licenses. The Japanese-inspired spirit is also available in a number of premium bars and restaurants in Manchester, including The Theatre of the Impossible and Arcane Bar.
KURO was launched to the UK hospitality industry at Imbibe Live 2017, an annual drinks trade exhibition at Olympia, London, where the complex and intriguing new gin was well received by the drinks trade.
Craig Fell, managing director at KURO Gin commented, “KURO has been 18 months in the making and we’re delighted with the end product. This is something completely different in the world of gin, and we hope to have captured the experience of the Hakuba Valley alpine slopes in every serve of KURO. What started off as an idea during apres-ski has developed through many stages and taste tests, and we’re keen to hear the UK’s gin lovers verdict on our unique blend of botanicals.
“The thrill of the slopes, beauty of surroundings, and overall sensory experience has been contained in each of the 12 botanicals, namely the three lead ingredients, silver birch bark, spruce needles and bamboo activated charcoal, which make-up KURO’s core identity as an earthy, aromatic Japanese take on a London Dry Gin, which brings an intriguing alpine freshness to a classic spirit.
“In the next 12 months we aim to secure further national listings in premium bars, restaurants and selected retailers across the country, and establish KURO among the British gin drinkers’ repertoire. International stockists are also among our first year targets, and I have an ambition to take KURO back to the place it was conceived, Japan.
