Suntory Roku Gin

Last Updated: 3/26/2021

Suntory Roku is arguably the best Japanese gin on the market. This should surprise no one. Suntory is behind some of the greatest whisky brands in the world: Yamazaki, Hibiki, and Hakushu.

In this post, we discuss why Roku is such a smash hit. You can compare the top retail options and buy your own bottle for the best price. Also, get tasting notes, product info, service and cocktail recommendations, and pairing ideas.

Why is Suntory Roku Our Favorite Japanese Gin?

Roku Gin is both a contemplative spirit and is capable of making any gin-based cocktail feel more Japanese. It’s also reasonably priced. This isn’t true for many other Japanese gins. 

In fact, Roku is easily the best value on the market in the Japanese Gin category. 

The use of six Japanese ingredients is where Roku (六) gets its name. This includes prized Oshima Zakura cherry blossoms and leaves, sencha, gokyuro, sansho, and yuzu peel. These are distilled separately in a variety of pot stills to bring out the optimal profile. 

Yes, that’s right, pot still are used to distill Roku!

Roku also features classic gin ingredients like juniper berries, coriander, angelica root and seed, bitter orange and lemon peel, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Finding and Buying Roku Gin

Suntory Roku is widely available at retailers, restaurants, and bars.

Prices are reasonable as well. Expect to pay $30 or less for a 750 ml bottle. This is far less than some of the other gins on the market.

Big retailers like Total Wine, Binny’s, Bevmo, and Costco frequently stock Roku. Many smaller shops and liquor shops have also taken notice.

One of the easiest ways to find Roku is through online retailers. Many offer delivery and competitive pricing.

If you want your own bottle today, check out these affiliate retailers below. We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

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Roku Tasting Notes

Suntory Roku Gin is floral, citrusy, peppery, and fuller-bodied gin.

It is extremely complex, but it’s not a London Dry style. Bitter, citrus-driven, floral, and herbal are a few tasting descriptors. The highlighted ingredients take center stage while the classic components providing a familiar background. 

Suntory really shows off its blending prowess with this complex product.

Food Pairings and Suntory Roku Gin

Pair Suntory Roku with salads, citrus-heavy dishes, yuzu kosho, and composed oysters. These elements are common at sushi restaurants and izakayas. Therefore, you can involve Roku in your entire meal.

Serving Roku Gin: Cocktail Recipes

On the service side: Roku and can be served neat, chilled, or rocks. This gin is made for mixology, but keep in mind this isn’t London Dry.

Classic Gin Cocktails with Roku

Many classic cocktails will also work beautifully with Roku Gin. A Dry Martini, Corpse Reviver #2, Saketini, Bees Knees, French 75, etc. All of these classic cocktails allow this fragrant, floral, and citrusy gin to shine.

Roku Neguroni – Negroni

The only thing Japanese about the Neguroni, is that it uses Japanese gin (or is made in Japan). With Suntory Roku, this classic cocktail shines.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, then add ice. Stir, then strain into a chilled martini glass, coupe, or rocks glass that’s full of ice. Garnish with an orange twist and express it over the drink. 

Roku Gin, Plum Wine, and Tonic

Gin and plum wine (umeshu) is a delicious combination. If you haven’t tried the combo, we recommend you do so. A 1:1 ratio is a good starting point for a Roku and plum wine cocktail. This is good either on the rocks or stirred/strained into a chilled martini glass.

Another bridge ingredient is tonic. Gin in tonic is legendary, as you probably know. Tonic and umeshu are also really good together. So it makes sense that Roku Gin, umeshu, and tonic are a tasty combination. A recipe we like is 1.5 ounces of gin and 1 ounce of plum wine served over ice. Top it off with tonic and drink up! This simple cocktail is one of our favorites!

The Roku Gin Saketini

In particular, the Saketini is a great place to use Roku Gin. Often made with neutral vodka, the traditional saketini is somewhat tepid and relies purely on the sake for flavor. Substituting Roku makes the flavor pop and really does make the cocktail feel authentically Japanese. 

Combine all ingredients in a pint glass with ice. Stir then strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist (express the citrus over the drink) or with a cucumber. 

• We’ve written a lot about the this class sake drink. Explore more saketini recipes in this helpful DIY article.

Recommended Gin Glassware

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Gins that are Similar to Suntory Roku

There really isn’t a gin quite like Roku.

Its closest competition is Nikka Coffey Gin. Nikka has wisely lowered the price of this product to better compete with Roku, but it’s still more expensive. Ki no Bi Kyoto Dry Gin is also a solid option. But once again, it’s more expensive than Roku and harder to find.

The Distillery: Suntory Osaka Factory

Distillery: Suntory Osaka Factory (サントリー大阪工場) Liqueur Atelier (リキュール工房)  

Location: Osaka, Osaka (大阪)

Suntory Liqueur Atelier

Suntory’s Osaka Factory combines column stills with a variety of copper and pot stills to make a vast array of distilled alcoholic beverages. Products include the popular Midori melon liqueur and the newly-released Roku Gin. Umeshu and a variety of liqueurs are produced as well. 

• Learn more about Suntory with this popular post

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