ABOUT
Kuma celebrates the essence of Taiwan
Discover Kuma Gin
As the story goes, the Formosan black bear, known locally as "Kuma," once forged a sacred pact with Taiwanese ancestors, pledging mutual protection and respect. It is this ancient bond honoring the island's natural beauty and resilience that inspired the name Kuma Gin. As a constant reminder, every bottle of Kuma Gin bears this story:
"在台灣原住民族神話中，黑熊(Kuma)為崇高存在，曾與祖先締約，互相守護與尊重。這些傳說啟發我們帶著崇敬自然的心，創立「昆麻Kuma」，傳遞台灣土地的美好。"
Guided by a deep appreciation and respect for Taiwan, the founders of Kuma Gin embarked on a journey connected with the people and heritage of the land. They seek to honor and celebrate Taiwan, weaving together its splendor and strength into every facet of Kuma Gin. Welcome to Kuma, where heritage meets innovation in the pursuit of superlative quality.
The Inspiration
Taiwanese Potato No. 57
Kuma Gin differentiates itself from other gins with its unique base spirit, Taiwanese Potato No. 57. While most gins rely on neutral cereal grain spirit, we've opted for a base spirit derived from Taiwanese potatoes sourced from local suppliers. Despite its higher cost compared to conventional base spirits, it was the undisputed winner after an exhaustive blind tasting by our team. Infused with the essence of Taiwanese terroir, our base spirit imparts a distinctive flavor profile characterized by delicate notes of earthy sweetness. Its smooth, velvety texture adds a luxurious dimension to every sip, ensuring a truly exceptional drinking experience.
Taiwanese Botanicals
In crafting Kuma Gin, the founders travelled through Taiwan's lush landscapes, in search of the finest botanicals. After 18 months of exploration and collaboration with local farmers, combined with over 25 test distillation batches, a selection of 12 botanicals was curated. These include the flavors and aromas that make Taiwan unique, such as aborigenese Prickly Ash, Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節) Pomelo, and Oolong Tea. Each sip pays tribute to the craftsmanship and dedication of local partners, capturing Taiwan's essence in every bottle.
Triple Distillation
At Kuma Gin, we believe in the art of crafting spirits with passion and precision. That's the reason why we innovated with our triple distillation process, which starts with a first distillation of our Taiwanese Potato No.57 fermented base in a traditional copper still. The product is then rectified to an impressive 96% ABV using state-of-the-art stainless steel distillation technology to bring unparalleled purity in a second distillation. Lastly, in a final distillation with hand-selected botanicals, we create a symphony of flavor that sets Kuma Gin apart, delivering a unique drinking experience.
Identity
Kuma embodies the vibrant spirit of 1980s Taiwan, a transformative era marked by newfound freedom and cultural awakening during which Taiwan blossomed into an epicenter of creativity, igniting a renaissance of art, music, and expression. Kuma Gin aims to be a vehicle to share Taiwan's rich heritage and culture across borders.
Bottle Design
The Kuma Gin bottle draws inspiration from the iron window grills adorning the old, low-rise apartments lining Taiwan's streets. Once symbols of strength and durability, these grills now bear the marks of time, rusted remnants of bygone eras. Kuma honors Taiwan's cultural heritage by revitalizing these relics, breathing new life into cherished symbols of the past.
In line with the age old ethos of frugality and imperishability, every bottle of Kuma Gin is handblown using 100% recycled glass by artisans in Hsinchu.
The Founders Story
Kuma was founded by Aymeric Salley and Yee-Wen Huang, a French and Taiwanese-American duo whose roots span continents, bridging East and West. Driven by their profound appreciation for Taiwan and a deep desire to amplify the voices and stories of its people, they collaborate with the finest craftsmen and women in Taiwan to infuse the sophistication of French elegance, the rich heritage of Taiwan, and American ingenuity into a superlative gin.
