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KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

The Kyoto Distillery – KI No Tea at the Elysian Whisky Bar

KINOBI with Gyokuro & Tencha

“KI NO TEA is a product created in collaboration with tea-grower and blender Hori-Shichimeien, founded in the Meiji era in 1879 and based in the famous Uji region to the south of Kyoto city. A number of super-premium Uji teas have been specially selected to form the heart of KI NO TEA.

Tencha and gyokuro provide intense aromas and depth of flavour with a wonderful sweetness that occurs naturally in the distillation of these superior teas. We use leaves harvested in the Okunoyama tea yard, dating back to the 14th century, and blend carefully with a secret botanical recipe used only in KI NO TEA.”

What does KINOBI mean?

When I first read the description, I couldn’t understand what KINOBI meant. Accroding to Kyoto distillery, it means “The Beauty of the Seasons”. 

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

I met KI NO TEA  at The Elysian Whisky Bar, the famous place for whisky lovers in Melbourne. I was there to meet my friend and also to pick up the whisky I ordered for a virtual tasting workshop.

Although I promised myself only to have a glass of whisky due to my exhaustion that day, as a tea lover, I couldn’t resist trying KI NO TEA that was right in front of me. I was intrigued by the description. 

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

Who's Hori-Shichimeien?

“Horii Shichimeien is an old-established Uji Tea company and is among the few stores that own their own tea gardens. 

Its tea garden is one of the seven famous gardens called Uji Shichimeien designated by Ashikaga Shogunate in the Muromachi Period. 

Today, the store’s garden named “Okunoyama” is located on a small hill near Uji Byōdōin Temple as the only existing garden of the seven. 

Over the last 600 years, the store has continued to grow and process teas (such as the well-known high quality tencha “Narino”), engaging in the whole process of tea manufacturing from picking and selecting to drying and grinding of tealeaves using grinding stones. 

Now the company also sells at retail and provides genuine Uji Tea directly to their customers.”

source: https://www.sazentea.com/en/products/c41-horii-shichimeien-matcha

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

I am just getting into Japanese tea, so I wasn’t familiar with Hori-Shichimeien. My friend who is a certified Japanese tea instructor recognised the name right away. Now I know better 😀 

Uji region KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

Where is Uji region?

Uji is a Japanese city south of Kyoto, known for its shrines and temples. The 10th-century Buddhist Byōdō-in Temple includes Phoenix Hall, named for the phoenix statues crowning it. Ujigami Shrine is said to be Japan’s oldest Shinto shrine. The Tale of Genji Museum displays scenes from the classic novel. Uji is known as a producer of green tea, which can be sampled at a traditional tea ceremony at Taihō-an Teahouse.

gyokuro

What is Gyokuro?

Gyokuro is known as the finest, rarest, and most expensive Japanese loose leaf green tea. Depends on the harvest region, it can be marine or vegetal, but the key characteristic is full of umami followed by sweetness.

tencha_austea

What is Tencha?

Tencha is the tea leaves about to become matcha. You can brew tencha as own. The taste characteristic is similar to gyokuro followed by full of umami. However, the appreance of the leaves and tea making process between gyokuro and tencha is different. 

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne
ⓒ Kyoto Distillery

The official KI NO TEA tasting note

“A sweet and delicate bouquet on the nose. On the palate, a gentle sweetness like white chocolate spreads slowly, then a distinct juniper flavour comes to the fore. The finish is long and clean with roasted green tea scents.”

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne
I tasted first then took the picture lol

How was the KI NO TEA taste?

“A botanical and refreshing bouquet on the nose. A distinct juniper scent and flavour comes to the fore, citrusy and refreshing note melodies, then finish with marine umami tea scents.”  

I could smell strong juniper berries, then taste juniper berries -> citrus -> marine in order. I was hoping KI NO TEA to be botanical with a fresh green taste. Instead, it was marine to me. I was happy that I got to try KI NO TEA, but I wasn’t a fan of the taste. 

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

Do you recommend to purchase KI NO TEA?

  • Price: Open price ($120~$140) 
  • Volume: 700ml
  • Strength: 45.1% abv
  • JAN:  4589633900155

The entire bottle? I am not so sure because of the marine taste I experienced. However, other people seem to enjoy KI NO TEA with an average of 4.6+ out of 5 ratings. If you aren’t sure, check out the nearest bar to taste KI NO TEA.

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

The Elysian Whisky Bar

By the way if you drink whisky and ever in Melbourne, I highly recommend to visit the Elysian Whisky Bar.

When I visited there was a private whisky tasting event for a company team building. I think I was able to sit at the bar because my friend made a reservation.

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne

If you are planning to try KI NO TEA at the Elysian Whisky Bar.  I recommend tasting gin itself. The cocktail I ordered had KI NO TEA, but it was too sweet and not so pretty. The price was also more than tripled from trying gin itself. 

KI NO TEA gin reivew The Elysian Whisky Bar in Melbourne (10)

The Elysian Whisky Bar is a good place to drink whisky, socialise, and chill.

If you work in the sales, marketing, or hospitality industry, it’s also a good place to shadow. I was impressed by the service style of that night. Two bartenders  could make drinks, serve, and do everything for the packed crowd. 

Four Sisters Tea

Joining Sydney Tea Meetup at Four Sisters Tea.

August 18, 2018

The next day I first arrived in Sydney, Australia, I joined one of the tea meetups hosted by Sydney Tea Meetup and had cosy tea time.

Adeline, the organiser of the Sydney Tea Meetup, is brewing tea.

Whether you are visiting or trying to settle down in a new place, Meetup is a great way to find people you can share interests and make connections. I was so thankful to find the Sydney Tea Meetup.

Although I had to travel an hour from the Sydney CBD to Four Sisters Tea where the meetup was occurring. I didn’t hesitate to sign up for the meetup. I was excited to join. How exciting to meet tea people in a country you are not familiar with?

I took a bus to stop at the Museum Station (only 2 stops)
It was a chilly cold morning.
Nice sunshine though
When I arrived, the owner of Four Sisters Tea was preparing tea until Adeline was arriving.
I am writing this review two years after I visited, so I don’t remember which tea I drank. But I remember the feeling how everyone was welcoming.
Tea & snack <3
White Tea – Baihao Yinzhen 白毫銀針
White Tea – Baihao Yinzhen 白毫銀針
White Tea – Baihao Yinzhen 白毫銀針
White Tea – Baihao Yinzhen 白毫銀針

Baihao Yinzhen, also known as Silver Needle, is a white tea produced in Fujian Province in China.

Oolong Tea – Tieguanyin
Oolong Tea – Tieguanyin
Oolong tea – Da Hong Po
Oolong tea – Da Hong Po
Oolong tea – Da Hong Po
Black Tea – Lapsang souchong 正山小種
Black Tea – Lapsang souchong 正山小種
Black Tea – Lapsang souchong 正山小種
Black Tea – Lapsang souchong 正山小種
Black Tea – Jin Jun Mei
Black Tea – Jin Jun Mei
Black Tea – Jin Jun Mei
Four Sisters Tea has a community vibe
There were several teawares for selling. I liked this colourful teacup.
However, if I remember correctly the cup was around 750-800AUD so I put it down…lol
You can purchase samples
I visited Mabroc tea factory in Sri Lanka in 2017. I was surprised to find Mabroc tea here.
I didn’t know what this was. The owner told me it’s good for losing weight and increase health.
It’s a fun tea house with lots of varieties.
The weather was gorgeous on the way back.
When I looked up the sky looked like a heart shape. I felt like the city was welcoming me.
Four Sisters Tea