Beam Suntory to launch Japanese gin Roku globally

Beam Suntory will roll out its first Japanese gin brand, Roku, across international markets from September 2017, when a limited edition bottling of the brand will also launch in global travel retail.

The company first confirmed its plans to launch Roku in May this year. The product, made at Beam Suntory’s Osaka-based distillery, was initially only available in Japan. Now, its launch has been confirmed in Germany, Taiwan, and South East Asian markets. Bottled at 43% abv and with an RRP of €25, Roku – meaning ‘six’ in Japanese – contains six Japanese botanicals, including sakura flower, sakura leaf, yuzu peel, sencha tea, gyokuro tea and sansho pepper, along with eight other botanicals traditionally used in gin. The traditional botanicals include juniper berry, coriander seeds, angelica root, angelica seed, cardamom seed, cinnamon, bitter orange peel and lemon peel. A new travel retail special edition will “feature a more prominent note of sakura”. “We are very excited and honoured to bring Roku Japanese gin to global markets and a special Select Edition to global travel retail,” said Jeanette Edwards, Beam Suntory international brand director. “We are confident that Roku will become the definitive Japanese craft gin in the global premium gin category, which has enjoyed significant growth in recent years.” Beam Suntory said Roku gives it a “very distinctive and competitive gin portfolio”, which also includes Spanish gin Larios and English brand Sipsmith, acquired by Beam Suntory at the end of last year.