nokishita711

Whimsical cocktail names and quirky ingredients feature prominently at Nokishita 711, but that's all part of the magic of this artisanal gin and cocktail bar.

Don't be taken aback by the inky blackness of the Live Forever, because it actually tastes pretty damn good. Made in Kyoto KI NO BI gin is turned a shade of midnight through the use of bamboo charcoal powder, and has a wonderful citrusy bitter tang from sacred bamboo bitters and matcha infused Fever Tree tonic. The Japanese cypress shavings dangling on the rim of the glass imparted a pleasantly understated whiff of woodiness with every sip.

Taste: 4/5

Every now and then you stumble upon a hidden find that's so amazing you want to keep it all for yourself. Out of sight in a small alley behind a car park is a tiny cocktail bar that can barely fit 8 people. It's owner is a consumate craftsman, absolutely dedicated to concocting out of this world gin cocktails with outlandishly creative flavour combinations you've never seen elsewhere. A gin genius if you will. Think libations made from charcoal and wood shavings, white miso and yuzu pepper, shrimp gin and clam soup, et al.

The decor is reflective of his mad brilliance as well -- a dim wizard's cavern filled with dangling lights, dried plants, assorted knick knacks and a mind-boggling array of gins from all over the world.

So good we had to visit it again on our last night, and a final quick pitstop at their new gin & cocktail stand The Roots Of All Evil at Kyoto Tower just next to Kyoto Station.

Taste: 5/5