Roku Gin

Roku Gin from Suntory represents Japanese aesthetics applied to gin production - a spirit that celebrates seasonal impermanence and the beauty of transience as aesthetic principles. The name itself means 'six' - representing the six Japanese seasonally-picked botanicals that distinguish this expression from typical gin composition. Rather than using dried, stored botanicals, Suntory picks each ingredient at peak freshness, immediately processing them to capture their essential character. This commitment to seasonal timing and botanical purity emerges from sake and whisky traditions, imported into gin with remarkable effectiveness. The six botanicals - sakura blossoms, green tea, yuzu peel, and sansho pepper among them - create something genuinely distinctive that tastes unmistakably Japanese.

The nose announces this aesthetic immediately - sakura blossoms contribute delicate floral elegance and subtle sweetness, green tea offers herbaceous brightness and slight astringency, yuzu peel brings distinctive citrus character with herbal complexity, whilst sansho pepper contributes a distinctive tingly sensation. Rather than the typical gin's bright, aggressive opening, Roku whispers - suggesting rather than announcing, inviting closer attention rather than demanding it. The palate delivers on this philosophical approach: the botanicals integrate beautifully, creating an impression of Japanese garden aesthetics rather than botanical competition. Each ingredient occupies its appointed space, contributing to the whole without asserting individuality. The sakura blossoms provide initial sweetness, green tea offers subtle astringency and depth, yuzu contributes distinctive citrus, and sansho pepper creates that characteristic tingling sensation.

The finish is remarkably elegant and composed, floral and fruity notes lingering gracefully alongside subtle spice. This is gin that celebrates the concept of 'ma' - the Japanese aesthetic principle of meaningful empty space. Nothing feels cluttered or excessive; instead, the composition breathes. Roku proves that gin accommodates genuine cultural dialogue, that the category's future lies in respectful international collaboration rather than European tradition. Suntory has created something genuinely special: a gin that tastes utterly authentic to its cultural origins whilst remaining unmistakably gin.

How to Serve

Roku works beautifully in a gin and tonic with Japanese tonic water if available, or simply with still water and perhaps a touch of yuzu, allowing its delicate botanical composition centre stage. For cocktails, try it in a Japanese-style martini or a sake-gin hybrid. Best appreciated with full attention to its delicate balance and seasonal character.

Where to Drink It

Bar Lotus, where a Japanese gin and tonic is a house speciality. Artesian at The Langham for the botanical breakdown. The Connaught Bar if you want the Martini instead.

Food Pairings

Sashimi or a plate of good sushi — the sakura and sencha notes are built for it. Edamame with flaked salt is all you really need alongside a G&T, and the sansho pepper makes more sense with something salty in your hand.