Beam Suntory launched Roku in July 2017 – the first premium Japanese craft gin in its portfolio. Meaning ‘six’ in Japanese, Roku incorporates six traditional Japanese botanicals which are infused, distilled and blended by the Japanese artisans of Suntory Spirits in Osaka, Japan. With history dating back to 1899, Suntory has earned its reputation as one of Japan’s most awarded spirits producers, mastering the skill of making gin since 1936.
This unique liquid was born out of a vision to create a truly authentic Japanese product to meet demand for a crafted, premium gin with a distinctive and balanced flavour. With the addition of Roku to its portfolio, Beam Suntory now boasts a differentiated and unique gin offering, spanning the standard, premium, and super premium segments of the category – with Larios, Roku, and Sipsmith respectively.
Roku is carefully crafted by Japanese artisans with skillful precision and meticulous attention to detail to create a perfectly balanced gin. Roku’s flavour profile is achieved by balancing six unique Japanese botanicals with eight traditional gin botanicals.
The six Japanese botanicals – Sakura flower, Sakura leaf, Yuzu peel, Sencha tea, Gyokuro tea and Sansho pepper – are harvested in accordance with ‘shun’, the tradition of enjoying each ingredient at its best by only harvesting at its peak of flavour and perfection.
In a process unique to Roku, the six Japanese botanicals are distilled using a selection of different pot stills, each chosen to ensure the best flavour is extracted from each botanical. The result is a complex yet harmonious gin with a smooth and silky texture.
Meticulous attention to detail – the signature of Japanese craftsmanship – also extends to the bottle. Roku’s bottle is cast in a hexagonal shape, representing each Japanese botanical, and is finished with delicate embossing. The Japanese kanji symbol for six is printed on the label, which is made of traditional washi paper and finished with subtle touches of gold.
More than a simple gin & tonic, the Japanese Gin & Tonic reflects the spirit of Japanese hospitality, Omotenashi, and is a refreshing ritual to be enjoyed with friends.
For more information, visit http://www.suntory.co.jp/wnb/rokugin
