The first gin released by Suntory, the name "Roku" is Japanese for "Six" which refers to the six Japanese botanicals used. Cherry blossoms, cherry leaves, green tea (sencha), refined green tea (gyokuro), sanshō pepper, and yuzu are utilized along with eight other traditional gin botanicals. The label is printed with Japanese washi paper. Roku was released in Japan in July 2017 with a wider release expected later in the year. Roku Gin has two variants on the market. There’s a travel exclusive under the same name with slightly amped-up cherry blossom and their regular flagship Roku Gin. This one is the latter. Roku Gin is distilled from a general neutral base of grain.
Roku Gin Details Spirit Type: Gin Country: Japan ABV: 47% Bottle Size: 700ml
Tasting Notes Roku Gin has an ethereal top note of cherry blossom. Notes of green tea citron and pepper briefly emerge as it quickly quiets. The delicate aroma quickly passes and dissipates. Smooth and oily, the spirit has a rich character as it coats the tongue. There’s a fleeting glimpse of cherry blossom and traditional gin notes before the tea and tannic notes take over. Heavy, leafy hints of green and early grey tea. A vivid note of bitter citrus and smokey leaves, with a palate drying and striking bitterness closer to something like Suze. The bitter note becomes evocative of gentian root and wormwood on the Finish of Roku Gin.
