Suntory Roku Gin recently partnered with Klondyke Cherry Farm. The fruit of this collaboration was a day of strolling through cherry orchards, sipping on a meticulous blend of Japanese flavours, and getting to know one of six unique botanicals: the sakura flower.
Suntory’s Japanese craft gin, Roku, is made by skilled Japanese artisans using traditional gin botanicals as well as special Japanese botanicals.
The word “Roku” means “six” in Japanese. Each bottle of Roku Gin contains six exceptionally special Japanese-sourced botanicals.
The botanicals are the sakura flower, sakura leaf, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, sansho pepper and yuzu peel.
When making Roku Gin, Japanese craftsmen follow a tradition that dates back hundreds of years: they pay close attention to every detail.
To extract the best flavour and fully capture the benefits of nature, each botanical is harvested at the height of its season. The balanced flavour of Roku was created by blending the fruits of the four seasons.
Green tea and cherry blossoms give off a floral and sweet scent. Yuzu is the top note on a palate that is complex, multi-layered, and flavourful with botanicals, traditional gin flavour in the base, and distinct Japanese botanical notes. A hint of spice is added to the finish by the crisp Japanese sansho pepper.
And what better location to have a Roku Gin cocktail than on a Western Cape cherry farm?
Klondyke Cherry Farm is 30km from Ceres town in the Koue Bokkeveld area of the Western Cape. Klondyke is a working cherry farm where visitors can pick their own cherries during cherry season, play in the snow during the winter months or just relax in one of the three self-catering cottages or lovely campsite at any time of the year.
Neil Garlick acquired Klondyke Farm in 1967 and planted cherry trees from Ficksburg in 1968 because of the location’s long, cold winters that are similar to those in Europe.
In 1973, the public was invited to the farm for a “pick-your-own” experience so they could get a taste of authentic cherry harvesting.
Since then, cherry picking, winter snow, and year-round lodging have made Klondyke a popular November and December destination, when the cherry season is at its peak.
Upon arriving at Klondyke Farm, guests are given containers that, when filled with gloriously ripe fruits, roughly represent one kilogram.
After carefully selecting your cherries from the bounty of teeming fruit trees, it’s nice to take a break and stroll through the beautiful orchards. When you’re done, you can have your container weighed at the farmstand.
There isn’t a better way to spend a summer day than eating the “fruits of your labour” in the shade of a pine tree, and visitors are encouraged not to rush back to the bustling city but rather to stay for a picnic.
For this special collaboration between Klondyke and Suntory, guests were served cocktails that were expertly made and beautifully presented.
Roku Gin’s top note of cherry blossom made it the perfect post-cherry-picking refreshment.
Japanese aesthetics are reflected in the Roku Gin bottle’s design. The hexagonal bottle that represents Roku is inscribed with six authentic Japanese botanicals.
The bottle’s label is printed on washi paper, and the bold calligraphy on the label further emphasises Japanese craftsmanship and sentiment.
When you eat Klondyke’s plump cherries and drink a refreshing Roku cocktail, you’ll enjoy much more than just the amazing taste.
Cherries are packed with antioxidants and offer many health benefits, including help with insomnia and joint pain. The sakura flower is also high in antioxidants, and it can boost collagen synthesis, which improves skin smoothness, elasticity and sun damage.
This December, purchase a beautiful, cherry blossom-monogrammed Japanese Roku gin, pack a picnic and head to Klondyke Farm for a magical day.
Pick-your-own cherries at Klondyke:
The cherry season started on November 25 and ends on December 31.
- Location: Klondyke Cherry Farm | Bo-Swaarmoed, Ceres, South Africa.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8.3oam to 4.15pm
- Entrance fee: R40 per person | R20 children under 10 years
- Price per kilogram: R80
- Contact: 087 550 0232 | [email protected]
- Website: www.cherryfarm.co.za
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Picture: Unsplash
