Roku Gin is a striking expression of Japanese craftsmanship and botanical finesse. It balances classic gin structure (juniper, citrus) with distinctly Japanese botanicals (green teas, sakura, yuzu, sansh pepper) to produce a gin thats elegant, contemplative, and versatile. It works beautifully neat or in refined cocktails, and excels when complexity matters more than sheer volume.

Origins & Craftsmanship

• Produced by Suntory, at their Osaka / Japanese operations. Roku means six in Japanese, reflecting its core botanical philosophy.

• Crafted with six unique Japanese botanicals, each harvested at their seasonal peak.

• Those six botanicals are: sakura flower, sakura leaf, sencha (green tea), gyokuro (refined green tea), sansh pepper, and yuzu peel.

• In addition to those, Roku also incorporates more traditional gin botanicals (juniper, citrus, coriander, cardamom, etc.) to round out its complexity.

• Each botanical is often distilled individually (or via micro-distillation) so their character remains distinct, then blended.

• Bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in many markets.

Tasting Profile

Element Notes Nose / Aroma Delicate cherry blossom, light florals; green tea aromas (sencha/gyokuro); citrus peel (yuzu) and gentle spice from sansh pepper. Palate / Taste Medium body. The fruit / floral notes open first (sakura, yuzu), then green tea, a touch of peppery heat, juniper and citrus support, gentle herbal layers. Finish Clean and dry. The peppery sansh adds a mild tingle; lingering notes of citrus, tea, and floral echo.

Some tasters note that Roku’s bitterness / astringency from tea can make it challenging in heavy mixers, so it tends to shine more in simpler cocktails or neat.

Food & Cocktail Pairings

• Serving / Cocktails
  Gin & Tonic (preferably with delicate tonic) let the botanicals shine.
  Negroni / Martinez variants gives an elegant twist via the Japanese botanicals.
  Simple Serve: Roku + soda water + yuzu or citrus garnish.
  Martini: Roku works nicely in a gin martini, especially if you want floral and tea complexity.

• Food Pairings
  Sushi / Sashimi the green tea & subtle spice complement fresh seafood.
  Light salads with citrus or yuzu dressings.
  Dishes with herbal notes (shiso, mint), or light herbal soups.
  Delicate desserts: yuzu sorbet, green tea desserts, almond / cherry blossom sweets.

Quick Overview

Feature Detail Name Suntory Roku Japanese Craft Gin Botanical Concept 6 Japanese botanicals (sakura flower/leaf, sencha, gyokuro, sansh pepper, yuzu) + classic gin botanicals Distillation / Technique Individual botanical distillation / blending for balance ABV 40% Style / Character Elegant, floral, tea-driven, citrus & pepper spice undertones