The House of Suntory unveils a new addition to its esteemed ROKU Gin family in Malaysia: ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition, a limited-edition gin celebrating the beauty and vibrancy of Japanese springtime.
This release also marks a milestone in the House of Suntory’s Festival Collection, where it is the first release ever in this global series of exceptional ROKU Gin spirits crafted to capture the essence of each season.
ROKU Gin embodies the Japanese concept of “shun”, the fleeting moment when nature is at its peak in flavour and freshness. With the release of its limited-edition ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition, it pays homage to the world-renowned annual Hanami Festival, where people from all over gather in Japan to witness the iconic cherry blossom season.
ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition is an expression of this cherished tradition, each sip infusing the delicate sweetness and brightness of sakura flowers that are harvested at the peak of their vibrancy and taste.
James Bowker, Global Advocacy Manager of Beam Suntory, said: “The ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition provides an immersion into the cultural origins of the product as well as providing a unique taste profile. Giving the brand a compelling point of difference in the premium gin market.”
An Exquisite Botanical Blend
Crafted by master distillers using a meticulous blend of six botanicals, ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition offers a soft, elegant, and sweet floral taste.
Each sip is delicately layered with hints of saltiness from the blossom leaves, resulting in a gin that is as complex as it is refreshing, evoking the essence of spring in full bloom.
Rohan Matmary, head bartender at Bar Trigona, further describes ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition’s unique flavour: “Its delicate fragrance, highlighted by hints of fresh flowers, red berries, and cherries, is reminiscent of Cherry Drops candy, alongside accents of pink grapefruit citrus, sansho spice, and a subtle touch of saltiness on the floral finish.”
For Wong Kelvin, bartender at Good Friends Club, ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition holds a distinct floral character. “With its delicate floral notes and subtle sweetness, it is a smooth gin that is unmatched and difficult to replace with any other alternative.”
To celebrate its release, ROKU Gin and The House of Suntory are collaborating with Lilin + Co to create a sensory experience inspired by the exquisite flavours of ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition.
“We are thrilled to unveil one Lilin + Co x ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition candle that perfectly captures the essence of Sakura in full bloom. These candles will complement your moments with ROKU Gin Sakura Bloom Edition as well as transport you to the magical cherry blossom season with its luxurious fragrances,” says Alaric Ng, Senior Marketing Manager at ROKU Gin & the House of Suntory.
The Lilin + Co x ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition Candle is available while stocks last, for a limited time throughout May and June on their online store, as well as their physical retail outlets in APW Bangsar and PJ Showroom.
“The collaboration between Lilin + Co and ROKU Gin draw parallels on the art of craftmanship and the allure of intricate detail while celebrating creativity.
We wanted to encapsulate the essence of spring’s fresh blossoms in a scent while evoking a sense of elegance,” said Founders of Lilin + Co, Marcus Khoo and Julie Yim.
To perfectly capture the delicate fragrance of sakura blossoms at home, infuse any space with the enchanting aroma of the Lilin + Co candles while you indulge in a ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition Gin & Tonic using one part ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition with gin tonic or a Vesper Martini or Sweet Sour Cocktail with one part ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition, three parts tonic water, a slice of pink grapefruit garnish, served over ice in a highball glass.
Jon Lee, head bartender at Penrose (ranked No.50 under Asia’s Best Bars 2023), shares his tip on how to craft a unique and flavourful ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition cocktail: “Less is more. ROKU Sakura Blossom Edition does not require complex ingredients to showcase its unique characteristics.”
ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition (43% Alc./Vol) is available for a limited time only, both online such as ChillOut, Nomu, E-Bar, Whiskery, Tong Woh and in selected retail locations across Malaysia such as Village Grocer, Jaya Grocer, BIG, and Pavilion Bukit Jalil while stocks last.
In conjunction with the release, 20 top bars across Malaysia will also be serving their very own interpretation of ROKU Sakura Bloom Gin-inspired cocktails. Crafted by talented mixologists, these delightful cocktails highlight the versatility and vibrancy of ROKU Sakura Bloom Edition.
