Roku Gin Review | Neat vs. Mixed

Roku is a Japanese Craft Gin and tastes nothing like a London Dry, and for people writing gin reviews, that’s great news!

After testing Roku multiple ways, my review summary is this: Roku won’t always be a good stand in for other gins when mixing cocktail or even for a G&T for that matter. However that’s what makes Roku worth trying, especially if you get easily bored with the same ol’ tasting gins.

Our team very much appreciated the sours we made with Roku Suntory Gin and once we swapped citrus garnishes for ginger, magic happened. Gin Boss considers Roku truly unique, useful and worth adding to your shelf.

Here are the typical botanicals

juniper
coriander
angelica root
cinnamon cardamom
bitter orange
lemon peels

Here are the 6 Japanese botanicals that make Roku a completely unique gin experience.

sakura leaves and flowers (Japanese cherry tree)
yuzu peel
sencha tea (high quality green tea)
sansho peppers (prickly ash)
gyokuro tea (Jade Dew) 1

Roku Neat

Roku Gin has a sweet, floral aroma that transitions to the scent of citrus and tea. The initial profile is often called “umami” meaning savory & delicious in Japan. It tastes bold with heavy vegetal notes and a prominent tannic bitterness from tangy Yuzu and two kinds of tea. The finish is very dry, warm and spicy thanks to Sansho Pepper

Suntory Roku Gin is an unusual gin, great for sour drinks and is not juniper heavy.

Who Might Like it?

Its tasting notes make it a good choice for serious tea drinkers or those who may not usually care for gin. If you don’t like strong juniper notes, you may really enjoy Roku Gin Botanicals. Let’s not forget umami lovers…they will likely appreciate sipping Roku.

Style

Roku is a Contemporary or International Gin as it is not juniper heavy and relies on six very unique Japanese botanicals. In fact, Roku means 6 in Japanese and you will find these very ingredients beautifully embossed on the six-sided bottle.

The Distilling

Roku uses four methods of distillation in order to ensure to get the best flavor and aroma from each botanical.

The ingredients are harvested at their peak each of the four seasons. In fact, the cherry blossom harvest is restricted to just one day and the blossoms go directly to the distillery to macerate.

Bonus Fun Facts

The Roku bottle itself is kind of a work of art. It is 6-sided to represent the 6 Japanese botanicals. Plus, another truly authentic feature of Roku is the label. It’s gorgeous and made of traditional washi paper!

Here are my close up images of my bottle of Roku…

Roku Gin Bottle Close Up with Label Image — My bottle of Roku Japanese Craft Gin

How it Compares to Other Gins

Roku compared to Tanqueray

The most noticeable difference is that Roku Gin does not have the big juniper flavor of Tanqueray London Dry Gin. Classic gin and tonic lovers will prefer Tanqueray Gin.

I believe non-gin lovers will prefer Roku Gin.

Roku Gin vs Hendricks

Roku Gin has a sharper flavor and more heat than Hendrick’s Gin. Hendrick’s is a smoother drinking gin with bigger floral flavors compared to Roku Gin’s tannins and pepper leading the way.

Hendricks is a better mixing gin and will be pleasant in most cocktails.

Roku Gin vs The Botanist Gin

Roku and The Botanist share a major characteristic but they differ greatly. They both taste like the place they are from. The Botanist is composed with 22 botanicals foraged on the Isle of Islay and Roku has 6 specifically Japanese botanicals reflecting all four seasons.

Roku is less balanced and not as smooth as The Botanist Gin. It does not have the traditional London Dry Gin flavor profile and leans to herbal, peppery, tea side.

Roku and The Botanist both make good sipping gins on the rocks but it is The Botanist which makes an excellent mixing Gin. It is very versatile and you can read our Review of the The Botanist Gin.

How to Serve

Roku is great for sipping. Try it warm or over a generous pile of ice. But if you don’t like sipping gin, try Roku with sour drink bases or use Roku where you might use a tequila.

Roku Gin Drink Recipes and Highball Ideas from Gin Boss

Roku Strawberry Margarita

Roku Paloma

Roku Gin Lemonade

Roku Osaka Mule

Roku Gin Cocktails: How to mix a Roku Drink

Here is what the distiller recommends for Roku Gin mixed drinks.

the Gimlet
the Martini
the Negroni
the Gin and Tonic

I agree with the distiller(2), but do prefer Roku with the Gin Boss ideas. In addition, I didn’t really care for the Roku Gin and Tonic until I had the gin and tonic with ginger.

Roku Tonic Garnish

Before you say you don’t like Roku in a Gin and Tonic, you may not be using the best Roku Gin garnish. Many Gin and Tonic drinkers rely on the lemon or lime and find their Roku G&T sub par because the harmony is missing. So ditch the lemon and lime and garnish this beauty with strips of ginger. Suddenly, it’s a match made in heaven.

Roku Gin Martini

Dry Martini lovers will be very happy with Suntory Roku Gin. The best Gin to vermouth ratio is 6:1 for a Roku Martini. Here’s more information about mixing a good Martini.