Beam Suntory GTR has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Roku Select Edition, its first premium Japanese craft gin that is available exclusively to global travel retail.
The Roku Select Edition incorporates six traditional Japanese botanicals that are infused, distilled and blended by artisans at Suntory Spirits in Osaka, Japan.
To mark the launch, Beam Suntory GTR is running a series of airport activations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Activations with Gebr Heinemann took place in Copenhagen and Frankfurt airports in September. Stansted and Heathrow Airport Terminal Two, T3 and T5 campaigns with Dufry followed in October. Next month, Dubai Duty Free and Le Clos will feature the Roku Select Edition in Concourses B and D. The premium craft gin is now available in global travel retail at an RRP of €27.50.
Beam Suntory Global Marketing Manager GTR Michael Cockram said: “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.”
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. Travellers will be able to interact with and learn about the botanicals as they enjoy a Japanese G&T.
Roku Select Edition’s flavour profile is achieved by balancing six 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 Japanese tradition of enjoying each ingredient at its best by only harvesting once it has reached its peak flavour potential. 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 eight traditional gin botanicals are juniper berry, coriander seeds, angelica root, angelica seed, cardamom seed, cinnamon, bitter orange peel and lemon peel.
Roku Select Edition boasts a sweet and floral aroma with a complex and multi-layered balance of botanicals. Notes of Sakura lead the way with a delicate spiciness coming to the fore from the crisp Japanese Sansho pepper.
Japanese craftsmanship also extends to Roku Select Edition bottle, which is cast in a hexagonal shape, representing each Japanese botanical, and 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. The signature serve is combines Roku Select Edition with ice and slices of ginger to complement the refreshing citrus notes of yuzu.
Beam Suntory’s airports activation gives travellers a chance to interact with the six Japanese botanicals of Roku gin
Tasting notes
Nose: Cherry blossom and green tea provide a sweet and floral aroma.
Taste: Complex and multi-layered yet harmonious botanical flavours. Traditional gin taste in the base, plus characteristic Japanese botanical notes including Sakura as the top note. Smooth and silky texture.
Finish: The crisp Japanese Sansho pepper brings a little spiciness to the finish.
