The Roku Select Edition will be available exclusively in global travel retail and incorporates six traditional Japanese botanicals that are infused, distilled and blended by the Japanese artisans of Suntory Spirits in Osaka, Japan.

A premium and balanced gin, Beam Suntory announced the international launch of Roku, the first premium Japanese craft gin in its portfolio earlier this year. The new brand demonstarates Suntory’s earned reputation as one of Japan’s most awarded spirits producers, mastering the skill of making gin since 1936.

To mark the launch of Roku Select Edition, Beam Suntory GTR is running a series of airport activations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions, including Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London and Dubai airports. The activation will see branded pop-up bars and installations activated across five airports, which will showcase the Roku Select Edition bottling with the six Japanese botanicals that have been infused to create the gin available for consumers to interact with as they enjoy a Japanese G&T.

Roku Select Edition boasts a sweet and floral aroma with a complex and multi-layered yet harmonious balance of botanicals. Notes of Sakura lead the way in this smooth and silky gin with a delicate spiciness coming to the fore from the crisp Japanese Sansho pepper.

Roku Select Edition’s flavour profile is achieved by balancing six unique Japanese botanicals with eight traditional gin botanicals*. 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 once it has reached its peak flavour potential and perfection. Unique to Roku Select Edition are the prominent top notes of Sakura, which offer a bright and colourful flavour profile.

This unique liquid was born out of a vision to create a truly authentic Japanese product to meet demand for a crafted, premium gin with a distinctive and balanced flavour. In a process unique to Roku, the six Japanese botanicals are distilled using a selection of different pot stills, each chosen to ensure the best flavour is extracted from each botanical. 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 Select Edition’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. The Select Edition bottling, exclusive to global travel retail, also features an embellished label showcasing Sakura flowers to reflect the more prominent Sakura flavour.

Roku Select Edition 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 citrus notes of yuzu. More than a simple gin & tonic, the Japanese Gin & Tonic reflects the spirit of Japanese hospitality, Omotenashi, and is a refreshing ritual to be enjoyed with friends.
Michael Cockram, Global Marketing Manager GTR, Beam Suntory says:

“We are very excited and honoured to bring Roku Japanese gin to global travel retail with an exclusive product, Roku Select Edition. We have already carried out our first activations and we are confident that Roku Gin will become a great success, bringing Japanese craftsmanship and authenticity to the premium gin category, which has enjoyed significant growth in recent years in the channel.”
For more information visit www.beamsuntory.com

Eight traditional gin botanicals are combined with the six Japanese botanicals to create Roku: juniper berry, coriander seeds, angelica root, angelica seed, cardamom seed, cinnamon, bitter orange peel and lemon peel.
Roku Select Edition – Global Travel Retail – RRP: €27.50

Look out for Airport activations, tastings and promotions at:
September
Copenhagen – Heinemann
Frankfurt – Heinemann

October
London Heathrow – T2, T3 + T5 – World Duty Free (Dufry)
London Stansted – World Duty Free (Dufry)

November
Dubai airport – Concourse B + concourse D (Le Clos)