Suntory Roku is one of the more quietly fascinating bottles on the Camp West shelf, and a favorite to pour for guests in West Seattle who want something with a sense of place. Roku means “six” in Japanese, a nod to the six Japanese botanicals at its heart. Made by Suntory, the venerable Japanese drinks house, it brings a delicate, balanced character that works beautifully in everything from a crisp gin and tonic to a contemplative martini. It fits the unpretentious, knowledgeable spirit of our cabin-inspired bar.
About the Distillery
Roku is the first gin released by Suntory, one of Japan’s most respected drinks producers. It is made at Suntory’s craft distillery, sometimes called the Liquor Atelier, which uses several different types of pot stills. In a process unique to Roku, the botanicals are distilled separately so each can be coaxed to its best, then blended together. Delicate cherry blossom, for instance, is drawn out through vacuum distillation, while yuzu is handled in copper pot stills.
Botanicals & Style
The six signature Japanese botanicals are sakura flower, sakura leaf, yuzu peel, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, and sansho pepper. These sit alongside traditional gin botanicals to keep the spirit recognizably gin. The philosophy follows the Japanese idea of shun, harvesting each ingredient at its seasonal peak. The hexagonal bottle, embossed with the six botanicals, signals the care behind it.
Tasting Notes
Roku opens with bright yuzu citrus and soft floral sakura, moves through gentle green-tea notes from the sencha and gyokuro, and finishes with a subtle, tingling spice from sansho pepper. It is smooth, balanced, and elegant rather than loud.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
Our go-to is a Roku gin and tonic finished with fresh ginger, which echoes its Japanese roots. It also makes a clean, aromatic martini that lets the yuzu and green tea shine. Tell your bartender you want something delicate and citrus-forward. A pour of Roku is $12.
FAQ
What does Roku mean? Roku is the Japanese word for “six,” referring to the six Japanese botanicals used in the gin.
What makes Roku Japanese gin different? It features Japanese botanicals like sakura, yuzu, sencha, gyokuro, and sansho pepper, each distilled separately for balance.
Pull up a stool and give it a try. Book a table, see our full gin list, or browse the beverage menu.