The House of Suntory, part of Beam Suntory, has unveiled the Roku Sakura Bloom Edition, the brand’s first limited-edition gin inspired by the Sakura (cherry blossom) flower. The expression is the first release in the Roku Gin Festival collection, a global series that invites gin drinkers to celebrate the different seasons.
The expression is inspired by the Hanami Festival in Japan, which is the tradition of watching the cherry blossoms bloom in springtime.
The House of Suntory Roku Sakura Bloom gin also celebrates the Japanese concept of Shun, when nature is at its peak in terms of flavour and freshness.
The 43% ABV gin has an RRP of US$32 and will be available for a limited time only. It made its global travel retail debut at Singapore Changi Airport in February. An international roll-out followed in March with key airport locations in Malaysia, Germany, Australia, the UK, Dubai, Thailand, Taiwan, France, Qatar, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.
“We’re very excited to offer Roku Gin’s first ever limited-edition expression to our key travel retail partners,” commented Beam Suntory Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel Gonzalez.
“There is still plenty of untapped potential in the premium gin category, and we’re confident that the Roku Sakura Bloom Edition will stand out in-store as a differentiated offering, boost awareness of the brand and recruit new travelling consumers to the Roku family.”
The House of Suntory Roku Sakura Bloom gin offers a soft and sweet floral taste layered with hints of saltiness from the cherry blossom leaves. It blends six different botanicals to enhance the gin’s sweetness.
Beam Suntory Global Advocacy Manager James Bowker added: “Shun is a concept unique to Japanese culture. It captures something magical, a moment when the natural world is at its most energised. The Roku Sakura Bloom Edition will be an expression of that concept – a bright and fresh-flavoured gin containing botanicals that are harvested at the peak of their vibrancy and taste.
“The Roku Sakura Bloom Edition provides an immersion into the cultural origins of the product as well as providing a distinctive taste profile, giving the brand a compelling point of difference in the premium gin market.” ✈
