Niseko Distillery marks fifth anniversary with commemorative ohoro GIN label

Niseko Distillery in Niseko, Hokkaido, marked its fifth anniversary on 1 October 2026 by releasing its flagship craft gin, ohoro GIN (Standard), in a limited edition with a commemorative label and gift box. Niseko lies in western Hokkaido and is a town that draws skiers from around the world in winter. The distillery produces whisky and gin, and is also a group company of Hakkaisan Brewery, a sake brewery in Niigata Prefecture.

Celebrating a gin named “continuing” in gold

“Ohoro” means “to continue” in the language of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. The name carries the hope that a gin born in Niseko will go on being loved for a long time. The commemorative edition is based on the design of the standard label, with gold decoration and a fifth-anniversary mark added. The numeral “5” incorporates motifs that represent Niseko’s majestic nature and climate. The contents are the same as the standard bottle: 700 ml at 47% ABV. The recommended retail price in Japan is 4,950 yen including tax.

Niseko’s soft water and two local botanicals

The gin is made with good-quality soft water from Mount Niseko Annupuri. The botanicals (the plants used for flavouring) include yachiyanagi from Niseko town (sweet gale in English, a strongly scented shrub that grows in wetlands) and nihon hakka (Japanese mint). These are combined with juniper berries, coriander, angelica root and chamomile, as well as lemon, grapefruit and the Japanese citrus fruit yuzu. The result is clear and smooth yet with a firm core, with a light citrus aroma. It is designed to work well as a base for a gin and tonic or a martini.

A northern distillery run by a sake brewing group

Niseko Distillery began production in 2021. Blessed with the soft water of a heavy-snow region, and making the most of a location where winter cold is less severe than elsewhere in Hokkaido, it aims to make elegant, delicate whisky. In the meantime, its gin has built up international recognition. The ohoro GIN series has won numerous awards at competitions in Japan and abroad, including a world’s best award at the World Gin Awards.

For European readers, ohoro GIN is an accessible way to get to know the character of “Japanese gin”, which differs from the juniper-led London Dry style. It has not been announced whether the commemorative-label edition will reach Europe. Specialist shops and bars that handle Japanese craft gin may stock the standard ohoro GIN. Served with tonic, the citrus and mint aromas are said to come through; neat or in a martini, the herbal depth from the yachiyanagi stands out.