My journey through Saburomaru Distillery has reached its final and most sacred chapter.
I was granted access to the “Sanctuary”—the Blender’s Room—a private space where the future of Japanese whisky is being composed.
Here, President Inagaki describes the art of blending as solving an “Amber Puzzle.”
He draws a beautiful parallel to Kumiko, the traditional woodwork of Toyama. Just as different wooden parts are meticulously fitted together to create a stunning pattern, diverse spirits are integrated here to decide the final, definitive taste of Saburomaru.
The Harmony of THE LOVERS: A Destined Encounter I had the rare privilege of tasting “THE LOVERS” at cask strength.
While the cask strength version feels like a “married couple’s quarrel”—two strong personalities of “Sea” and “Land” clashing with sparks—the version we serve at Bar Little Happiness is like that same couple smiling at each other in perfect trust.
This harmony is not a coincidence; it is a calculated, beautiful result.
A Baton for the Next 100 Years: The Power of “Hitsuzen” Beyond the science of peat, I felt the weight of a grand 100-year vision.
President Inagaki’s drive comes from a 1960 spirit left by his great-grandfather—a man he never met. Tasting that liquid, he felt a direct line connect the past to his present.
I call this moment “Hitsuzen” (Inevitability). I
t was not mere luck that he found that bottle; it was a destined encounter that gave him the mission to protect his family’s legacy.
He is now planting seeds for a “reversal” 100 years from now, ensuring that the fire of craftsmanship never goes out.
At Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima, when I pour you a glass of Saburomaru, I am handing you that 100-year baton.
This encounter tonight, between you and this glass, is also a “Hitsuzen”. Let us toast to the “future vintages” and the unyielding hope of an inventor-president who is changing the world, one drop at a time.
↓Deep Dive into the Story: For those who wish to explore the full, detailed history and my personal reflections on this distillery, please visit our original column here (Japanese): (You can use the language switcher at the top of our site to translate the page into your preferred language.)↓
出逢いは必然。Rum&Whiskyの世界へようこそ。 (An encounter is inevitable. Welcome to the world of Rum & Whisky.)
Guest Information
• Multilingual Menu: Available in 8 languages
• Payment: All major credit cards accepted
• Cover Charge: No cover charge
• Atmosphere: Quiet / No smoking (Electronic cigarettes allowed) / Solo & Small groups welcome
Visit Us in Hiroshima
We welcome guests from all over the world with our 8-language menu and a massive collection of over 1,000 whiskies.
Explore our vast range of Japanese labels, featuring an unrivaled selection of local Hiroshima craft whiskies, alongside an extensive array of fine Scotches.
No matter where you are from, your “destined glass” is waiting.
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(Dive deep into the world of whisky and rum. This site can be translated into English or Korean using the language switcher tab at the top of the page.)
