Roku Gin is a Japanese Gin. It’s made with several Japanese botanicals that make it unique compared to gin made in other countries. For example, it’s rare to find yuzu peel or Sakura leaf in American-made gin.
The rest of the process is similar to any other type of gin, so it’s made with rice and tastes like other gin but with a smoky aftertaste. It also has some hints of pepper, lemon, and cherry blossom. Overall, it has a smooth flavor, and it’s one of the easier types of gin to stomach if you’re new to gin, which can be a tough liquor to adjust to if you’ve only had dark liquors like whiskey.
This article will cover the entirety of Roku Gin, which includes how it tastes, how you can enjoy it, and most importantly, if it’s good. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this delicious gin.
A Quick Look at Roku Gin
Roku Gin is a unique type of gin straight from Japan. If you’re a fan of Japanese liquor, you’ll quickly fall in love with Roku Gin. Learn more about Roku Gin in our chart below to get a better understanding of what it’s like.
| Overall Rating | 4 Stars |
| Flavor | 4 Stars |
| Value | 5 Stars |
| Tasting Notes | Smoky, citrus, green tea, cherry blossom |
| Classification | Gin |
| Distillery | Yamazaki distillery |
| Proof | 86 |
| Aged | No |
| MSRP | $25 |
Pros And Cons of Roku Gin
Roku Gin is a good choice for some gin lovers, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. To determine if it’s right for you, check out our pros and cons before delving further into our review.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable compared to other types of gin | Possibility of being faked if it’s too cheap |
| Made in Japan | Some people claim that it’s too bitter |
| Smooth | |
| Great for cocktails | |
| Authentic Japanese botanicals |
What Is Roku Gin?
Roku Gin is a unique type of gin that incorporates several Japanese botanicals that give it unique flavor notes compared to your average straight gin. It’s a type of craft gin that’s made in Japan by the Yamazaki distillery, which also produces other types of liquor ranging from dark to light liquors. The distillery is owned by Suntory and they’ve been in business for a while and continue to supply the world with high-quality gin at affordable prices.
Like most types of gin, Roku Gin is made by fermenting grains, but Roku Gin uses Japanese rice. The gin is made by distilling rice through a pot to create the initial spirit. From there, it’s distilled again with a pot and a column still.
What makes Roku Gin special is its ingredients. It’s made with six Japanese botanicals and eight traditional botanicals that give it a unique and smooth flavor. While the base tastes like regular gin, botanicals like yuzu give it a silky and smooth texture. Other botanicals like the Japanese sansho pepper also add more spice to the flavor.
Is Roku Real Gin?
Yes, Roku Gin is real. It’s made by Suntory, which is a Japanese gin distillery that has been in business for several years. In fact, House of Suntory has decades of experience when it comes to distilling Japanese rice and creating gin.
What Does Roku Gin Taste Like?
If you want to take a trip to Flavor Town, Roku Gin is like taking an express train there. The flavor is potent, and while it’s strong, it’s smooth going down and not something you want to waste in a shot glass. Based on a handful of interpretations, the flavor can vary slightly based on your taste buds and how comfortable you are with gin.
At first, Roku Gin is smooth and won’t even make an experienced gin drinker flinch when drinking it neat or on the rocks; it’s even a good gin to start with if you’re new to gin. Roku Gin is also known for having a rich initial taste and a smoky aftertaste that’s similar to something you get with bourbon whiskey. When it comes to other flavor notes, you’ll find hints of cherry blossom, lemon, citron, and green tea. Some people also say that it has some hints of pepper.
You can also mix Roku Gin with cocktails because the flavor pairs well with fruity drinks like a gin and tonic with a splash of maraschino cherry juice. The fruity hints of cherry blossom, green tea, and lemon are great for fruity mixed drinks.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Roku Gin
When you’re drinking gin, you want it to have a kick. Otherwise, what’s the point? Now, you don’t want it to taste like gasoline, so it’s important to have the right balance, which we feel Roku Gin excels at. It’s an 86-proof liquor and has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 43%. While it’s not the strongest gin on the market, it’s strong enough to get you buzzed after a gin martini, dirty or not.
Is Roku Gin Good?
Yes, Roku Gin is good. It tastes good on its own but also pairs well with mixers for a cocktail. You can enjoy it as a martini with a few olives or in a glass with a few ice cubes; it’s even good enough to drink neat. So, what makes it good?
Ultimately, it comes down to the ingredients and price. For the low price (usually less than $30), it’s hard to beat the amount of flavor you get at that price point. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stack up well to some of the more expensive types of gin, so it’s more entry-level in this case.
Is Roku the Best Gin?
Roku Gin is one of the best guns that you can buy for its price. While it doesn’t have the smoothness of some more expensive types of tin, it’s one of the most affordable options and smooth enough to drink in a glass with some ice. Therefore, it’s one of the best types of gin when it comes to value.
How Is Roku Gin Packaged?
Roku Gin is packaged well. It comes in a glass bottle and has a small label with Japanese writing on it. The bottle is clear, and you can see the gin inside of it. If you notice that the coloring is off or the label doesn’t have Japanese writing, you might be looking at a copycat bottle of gin. The bottle also includes some Japanese flowers on the bottle and says Roku Gin in big letters.
How Should You Drink Roku Gin?
Roku makes drinking gin a breeze. It’s smooth enough to drink neat or on the rocks but also great for mixing cocktails. Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re in the mood for. In fact, some people even like to shoot it because it’s a smooth shot that won’t make you queasy. Therefore, you can drink it any way you like depending on your preferences.
Still, Roku Gin is at its best when it’s mixed in a cocktail. However, you want to keep it simple and focus on drinks that bring out the gin’s flavor. One great choice is the Roku Gin plus a tonic with ginger. All you need are ginger sticks as a garnish, three parts tonic water, and one ounce of Roku Gin. To make this drink, pour everything into a glass with ice, stir it with the ginger sticks, and then leave the ginger sticks in as a garnish.
Another great cocktail is a Roku Momiji Fizz, which is a classic Japanese drink. This is a refreshing and fizzy drink that’s easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. All you need is a sliced plum (preferably ripe), lemon wheel, Roku Gin, and sparkling lemonade plum. Mix all of the ingredients in a glass with ice and give it a good stir for about 10 seconds.
How Much Does Roku Gin Cost?
Roku Gin isn’t the most expensive gin around, which is great because you get a lot of flavor for a good price. Typically, a 750ml bottle of Roku Gin costs around $25, depending on where you live. Based on a few Reddit threads and some online listings, it can sometimes cost as much as $35. For this reason, the price can change based on where you live.
When buying Roku Gin at a restaurant or a bar, cocktails with Roku Gin can cost between $10-$20, while drinking it neat or on the rocks can cost about $10 for two ounces. You can also drop it in shots at a bar for about three to five dollars a shot.
Where Can You Buy Roku Gin?
Roku Gin is popular and can be found all over the world. There’s a good chance that you can find it in your local liquor store, but if you have no luck, larger liquor distributors will likely have it. You’ll also find Roku Gin in some bars and restaurants, but this isn’t guaranteed. If you’re in Japan, though, it’s more common to find Roku Gin around bars and restaurants since that’s where it’s made.
Is Roku Gin a Good Gift?
Yes, Roku Gin can be a good gift. That said, whether something is a good gift or not is subjective, so it’s important to understand when it’s a good gift. For example, it might be a good gift for someone who likes gin but a terrible gift if someone is sober or doesn’t like clear liquor.
Roku Gin is at its best when it’s given to someone who likes gin. If you know someone who likes gin, why not give them a new gin to try to see if they’ll like it? Additionally, it’s not a bad gift for someone who likes clear liquor and hasn’t had the opportunity to dabble in gin. The flavor is subtle enough to be palatable, so it’s a good entry-level offering.
On the other hand, don’t give Roku Gin as a gift to someone who doesn’t drink. Obviously, you should also avoid giving it to someone who hates gin or clear liquor. Even if it’s good, these people still won’t get much use out of it. For example, if they like a good whiskey, get them Woodford Reserve instead. On the other hand, if they don't like dark liquor you can try Espolon Tequila.
What Are Alternatives to Roku Gin?
Not a fan of Roku Gin? Or does the fruity flavor turn you off to the idea of it? In either case, don’t worry because there are plenty of alternatives to Roku Gin; you just have to know where to look.
One of our favorite alternatives to Roku Gin is Vim and Petal Gin. It’s an American gin that has more traditional gin flavors that you might appreciate more if you prefer less potent fruity flavors. Vim and Petal also include more flavor notes like cinnamon, pepper, mint chocolate, and rosemary.
Another great alternative is Wonderbird Spirits Cask Finished Gin. It’s a gin that’s aged in a bourbon barrel, specifically one chosen from Maker’s Mark. If you prefer a darker liquor but still want to get the taste of gin, you might prefer this Roku Gin alternative. It’s also another rice-based gin, so the flavor will be closer to Roku Gin if that’s what you’re going for.
Enjoy Affordable Roku Gin Today
When you want to experience something unique, you can’t go wrong with Roku Gin. It’s an inexpensive gin that comes with a powerful flavor and enough ABV to help you catch a buzz. You can drink it in a cocktail, on the rocks, or even neat if you love to sip on gin.
While it’s not for everyone, we highly recommend it for people who love gin. If you’re getting sick of some of your regular gins, spice up your liquor cabinet with Roku Gin to change things up. The smooth and fruity flavor will be a welcoming change that will have you craving more with every sip. Plus, it tastes like other types of gin, so it won’t be a shock to your system.
