Nozawa Onsen Distillery (Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture) is releasing BARREL-AGED GIN Small Batch Release 003, the third installment in its barrel-aged gin series, from May 26, 2026. The gin was matured in a special American oak barrel that previously aged bourbon and maple syrup.
While gin is generally a spirit that does not require barrel aging, this release represents the distillery's deliberate challenge to explore barrel maturation — a craft they are also developing ahead of a planned whisky release later in the year. This is the third such experiment from the distillery.
A Barrel-Aged Gin Finished at the Perfect Moment
BARREL-AGED GIN Small Batch Release 003 uses the distillery's IWAI GIN as its base spirit and ages it in an American oak barrel with a history of holding bourbon and then maple syrup — carrying the memory of both in every sip.
Rather than setting a fixed aging period, the master distiller monitored the gin through regular tastings, accounting for changes in temperature and humidity. The release date was determined only when the distiller judged that the flavor, aroma, and character had reached their peak — a process that sets this gin apart from efficiency-driven modern production.
Flavor Profile
The bourbon-barrel origins contribute a woody depth, while the maple syrup heritage of the cask adds a soft, gentle sweetness that weaves together with the botanical character of the gin. On the palate, notes of vanilla, caramel, and American oak emerge immediately, followed by the wood and the sweet citrus of cherry leaf found in IWAI GIN. The maple-influenced sweetness gradually gives way to the gin's dry finish.
Despite an alcohol content of 55%, the mouthfeel is remarkably smooth and approachable.
Lottery Sales
Due to the small-batch nature of this release, the gin will be sold exclusively via a lottery system to ensure fair distribution.
Lottery Entry Page:
https://nozawaonsendistillery.jp/products/barrel-aged-gin-3
Lottery Schedule:
- Entry period: May 26, 2026 (Tue) through May 31, 2026 (Sun), 11:59 PM
- Shipping: Winners will receive their bottles from June 4, 2026 (Thu) onwards
- Details: Available at the link above
Product Details
Product Name: BARREL-AGED GIN Small Batch Release 003
Volume / Container: 500ml / Bottle
Suggested Retail Price: ¥9,350 (tax and shipping included)
Alcohol Content: 55%
Category: Spirits (Gin)
Available at: Nozawa Onsen Distillery official online store, flagship store, select liquor retailers, and Nozawa Onsen Distillery Rakuten Ichiba official shop
