Northern Ireland's The Boatyard Distillery is arriving in Japan for the first time. Kobe-based importer Oyama Co., Ltd. will bring the distillery's organic gin, organic vodka, Old Tom gin, and Sloe Boat gin liqueur to shelves nationwide across Japan starting July 1, 2026 (Wednesday).
About The Boatyard Distillery
The Boatyard Distillery sits on the shores of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, in the southwest of Northern Ireland, and is the first distillery to be legally established in the area since 1890. Its name comes from the former boatyard on whose site it was built. Following a farm-to-bottle philosophy that handles everything from growing the ingredients to bottling in-house, the distillery places a strong emphasis on organic, locally grown produce, pairing top-quality spirits with sustainable production aimed at protecting the planet's future.
The distillery surrounded by nature
A Focus on Sustainability
In 2023, The Boatyard Distillery became the first distillery on the island of Ireland to earn B Corp certification.
B Corp certification is an international scheme that evaluates companies across five sustainability areas — environment, workers, customers, community, and governance — and is awarded only to businesses that clear high standards and demonstrate strong public benefit and transparency.
For the Double Gin, every botanical, starting with the juniper berries, is organically grown. The wheat used in the vodka is sourced directly from local organic farms and is itself certified organic. Organic production takes considerable time and effort, but it provides the top-quality ingredients needed to make spirits that are both environmentally friendly and delicious.
CO2 emissions cut by about 60%, and package weight reduced to roughly 2% of the total product (for glass bottles, the bottle accounts for 43% of the total weight)
The environmentally conscious ECO REFILL packaging cuts glass usage and encourages reuse, reducing glass waste and the energy consumed in transport while helping lower CO2 emissions. The distillery also reviews every stage of production in its constant pursuit of greater sustainability — providing distillation residue to local farmers as cattle feed and repurposing used juniper berries for chocolate making — with the ultimate goal of full decarbonization.
How It's Made
A hybrid of a pot still (single distillation) and a column still (continuous distillation)
An organic wheat spirit is macerated for 18 hours together with eight organic botanicals, including sweet gale harvested on the distillery's own farm. The "double contact" method — adding juniper berries at both the start and the end of distillation — draws out the character of the juniper to the fullest, giving the gin its bold yet refined flavor.
The Lineup
Boatyard Double Gin
A smooth organic dry gin defined by citrus and floral sweetness
- Release date: July 1, 2026
- Reference retail price: Open price
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 46%
Tasting notes:
- Aroma: A rich, green, and refreshing nose
- Palate: Bold and pine-like with a hint of woody sweetness, complex and smooth
- Finish: A pleasant, lingering finish where a touch of spice meets fresh citrus and sweetness
Boatyard Double Gin Eco Refill
- Release date: July 1, 2026
- Reference retail price: Open price
- Volume: 2,800ml
- ABV: 46%
The innovative Eco Refill is designed to reduce single-use glass bottles and cut CO2 emissions during transport as part of the brand's sustainable approach. Made from recyclable material, one Eco Refill pouch holds the equivalent of four bottles and reduces packaging material by 84% compared with conventional packaging.
Boatyard Vodka
A creamy, smooth organic vodka
- Release date: July 1, 2026
- Reference retail price: Open price
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 41%
Tasting notes:
- Aroma: Spicy black pepper with fruity notes of banana and orange peel, and a subtle hint of beeswax
- Palate: An unfiltered, rich and creamy mouthfeel with a grain-derived, caramel-like sweetness
- Finish: A pleasant, sweet vanilla finish
Boatyard Old Tom Gin
Candied dried fruit with subtle notes of fig and raisin, and a silky, toffee-like orange finish
- Release date: July 1, 2026
- Reference retail price: Open price
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 41%
Tasting notes:
- Aroma: Vivid juniper, pine, and soft vanilla
- Palate: A harmony of cinnamon spice with subtle notes of dried fruit, fig, and raisin
- Finish: A distinctive finish reminiscent of toffee and orange
Boatyard Sloe Boat Gin
Sweet plum and cassis flavors with a soft nectar quality, balanced by the tartness of sloeberries and dry juniper
- Release date: July 1, 2026
- Reference retail price: Open price
- Volume: 700ml
- ABV: 29.8%
Tasting notes:
- Aroma: A hint of almond with sweet-and-sour cherry
- Palate: Rich, juicy plum, cassis, and abundant berry fruit, layered with nutty notes for a complex, mellow flavor
- Finish: A pleasant, lingering finish where a touch of spice meets fresh citrus and sweetness
Awards
The Boatyard range has collected numerous honors, including being named a Top 10 brand by the UK drinks-industry magazine Drinks International 2026 and winning a Gold Medal and Category Champion in the gin category at the Bartenders' Brand Awards 2025, organized by the bar-industry magazine CLASS Magazine and others.
Boatyard Organic Double Gin
- Drinks International 2026: Selected as a Top 10 brand across all spirits categories; also ranked 6th best-selling gin and 7th trending gin
- Bartenders' Brand Awards 2025: Gold Medal and Category Champion in the gin category
- World Gin Awards 2021: Gold Medal in the design category
Boatyard Organic Vodka
- Drinks International 2026: Ranked 5th trending vodka
Boatyard Old Tom Gin
- World Gin Awards 2021: Gold in the design category
Boatyard Sloe Boat Gin
- World Gin Awards 2021: Gold in the sloe gin category
Boatyard's organic gin and vodka are also served at the American Bar in London's Savoy Hotel — once ranked number one in "The World's 50 Best Bars" — and are favored by professional bartenders around the world.
