Uniquely bottled in a hexagonal glass vessel, Roku Gin is a distinctive spirit from Japan’s revered Suntory brand; one of the countries’ most awarded spirits producers, mastering the skill of gin-making since 1936.
As one of the first Japanese gins to hit South African shores, Roku offers a native edge in the country’s trending industry with a rare flavour base inspired by its home.
Meaning ‘six’ in Japanese, Roku incorporates six traditional, seasonal botanicals which are infused, distilled and blended to maximise its complex flavour profile and form its Japanese identity, setting the spirit apart from other gins.
The gin is first flavoured with traditional aromatics such as juniper berries, coriander, angelica root and seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, and peels from lemon and bitter orange.
Enhancing its rich character, 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 botanicals are distilled using a selection of different pot stills, each chosen to ensure the best flavour is extracted from each. 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.
Roku can be enjoyed on the rocks or in a Japanese Gin & Tonic. Prepared with extra care, the Japanese Gin & Tonic is served with ice and slices of ginger to complement the refreshing and citrus top notes of yuzu.
In a 750ml bottle at 43% ABV, Roku retails for R299 in major retailers nationally.
Cocktail recipes with Roku Gin
Roku Tonic
Roku 30m
Tonic 120ml
Ginger sticks
Add all ingredients and build. Serve over cubed ice in a highball glass.
Garnish with ginger slices.
Roku Sour
Roku 60ml
Matcha tea 5 grams
Egg white 1
Yuzu juice 10ml
Lemon juice 10ml
Simple syrup 10ml
Add egg whites to shaker and shake to aerate. Add Roku, simple syrup and Matcha tea and shake. Top with some lemon juice and strain into chilled martini glass.
Image source: Supplied
