Suntory Roku Japanese Craft Gin
Product details
| Management number | 253705413 | Release Date | 2026/10/24 | List Price | CA$12.80 | Model Number | 253705413 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | |||||||||
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, sanshō pepper) to produce a gin that’s 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), sanshō 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 sanshō 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 sanshō 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, sanshō 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 |
Bestseller ranking
SPIRITS
Correction of product information
If you notice any omissions or errors in the product information on this page, please use the correction request form below.
Correction Request Form