The Kyoto Distillery was founded in 2014 by Noriko Kakuda Croll, David Croll and Marcin Miller. After two years of research and experiments, they launched their KI NO BI gin in October 2016. Most of the ingredients (Sansho pepper, yuzu, Gyokuro tea, Japanese Cypress, etc.) are sourced locally from the areas surrounding Kyoto and distilled individually in a rice-based spirit. The three acolytes also co-founded Number One Drinks, famous for introducing whisky fans to various now-legendary distilleries such as Karuizawa and Hanyu.

A Gin Ki Noh Bi aged in sherry casks from the Karuizawa distillery. These “Ki Noh Bi” versions are part of Number One Drinks’’ ongoing support for Noh theatre and follow in the footsteps of the Karuizawa Noh Whisky range. This edition was released in 2019 for Sexy Fish in London, before later also becoming available in markets in Asia.