The House of Suntory's Roku Sakura Bloom Edition Gin makes travel retail debut in India
Come alive with blossoms: Roku Sakura Bloom Edition takes off in Indian travel retail
The House of Suntory has introduced Roku Sakura Bloom Edition – the brand’s first limited-edition gin inspired by the Sakura flower and world-renowned Hanami festival – to the Indian travel retail channel.
The expression is also the first release in the Roku Gin’s Festival Collection, a global series inviting gin drinkers to experience the pinnacle of every season.
The House of Suntory’s Roku Gin is an articulation of the Japanese concept of shun, the moment when nature is at its peak in flavor and freshness. The Roku Sakura Bloom Edition limited-edition release captures the peak of spring and Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season, including the internationally renowned Hanami festival, through the soft and elegant floral taste of the Sakura blossom.
Taking inspiration from one of the most celebrated Japanese festivals centered around nature and one of Roku’s key ingredients, the Sakura flower (otherwise known as cherry blossom), the Roku Sakura Bloom Edition celebrates annual Hanami “flower viewing” festivals in Japan, capturing the freshness and brightness of springtime. The gin offers a soft and elegant, sweet floral taste, layered with hints of saltiness from the blossom leaves. By intertwining a complex and harmonious blend of six different botanicals, the gin’s sweetness is enhanced, resulting in a delicately complex Roku Gin in full bloom.
Harnessing opportunities in India
Within the global travel retail channel, The House of Suntory’s Roku Sakura Bloom Edition Gin was first introduced in 2024, for a limited time only, in assorted airport locations. Now the expression is making its debut in selected airport doors in India, supported in-store by prominent visuals and merchandising. Passengers can discover it first at Delhi Duty Free from May.
Alasdair Dickinson, General Manager GTR, Suntory Global Spirits, said, “We see huge growth potential within the Indian travel retail market, and I am delighted that we are now able to offer this region’s travelling consumers the opportunity to discover this very special release. There is plenty of opportunity to develop the white spirits category in India, and travelers are thirsty for innovation and premiumization. The Sakura Bloom Edition is an exceptional gin with a unique story and we are excited to share this expression with our loyal Indian shoppers. I am confident this launch will provide the perfect development platform for Roku, as we continue to maximize our focus in this market.”
