Was wondering if anybody had tried any of the Japanese Gins and spirits infused with herbs and botanicals that are being introduced.

From what I understand, companies that have a history of making herbal medicinal products and remedies are getting into the alcohol market. The problem is that the products are made in limited batches and often sell out as soon as they are released. With my daughter being older, and my health having improved a great deal, I had planned to visit a few bars this Spring to catch up a little on this particular kind of local flavour. Now I’m just being taunted with knowing new drinks are coming out but can’t follow reviews or descriptions - and there’s hardly anything in English.

As an example, there is the Yaso company based in Niigata, their background (as Echigo Yakuso) involves products made with mugwort.
https://yaso80gin.shop-pro.jp *

Reason I’m fascinated is that when one looks into books and stories from Japan’s past there is a wealth of information and references to Seasonal herb gathering and traditions about combining the herbs. Medicinal companies will have continued these traditions, and just as monks and monasteries plundered European Apothecary traditions when distilling drinks and liqueurs, this, right now, seems to be an era in Japan where aspects of long archived folk remedies are transitioning into leisure beverages.
If you have been drinking any of these, do please share. I’d relish hearing ALL about the experience!

Would so love to try the Yaso103 Gin that was released this month. Has already sold out though. At least I can console myself with a supply of shiso to infuse into cocktails this summer. Kanpai!

* The 70% spirit is a botanical alcohol sanitiser which has been produced to combat COVID-19, the company have been donating it to the local community.