For any whisky lover, the name “Chichibu” carries a certain weight—a reverence for a place that has redefined the boundaries of Japanese whisky. Recently, I had the honor of embarking on a pilgrimage to this “holy land” to experience something truly primal: Floor Malting.
Floor malting is a traditional, labor-intensive process where barley is spread across a floor and turned by hand to encourage germination. In an era of automation, this manual labor is a testament to the distiller’s dedication. As I took the shovel in my hands and felt the weight of the damp barley, I realized that this wasn’t just about making alcohol; it was about nurturing life.
At Chichibu Distillery, I stood alongside bartenders from other prefectures and passionate distillers who run their own craft operations. In that shared silence, broken only by the rhythmic sound of the shovels, I felt a profound connection. This is where the “invisible spice”—the passion of the producer—is first infused into the grain.
This experience brought me back to my philosophy of “Hitsuzen” (Inevitability). Seeing the raw effort required to create a single bottle makes me cherish every drop I pour at Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima even more. When you understand that someone’s hands turned this barley, day and night, the liquid in your glass begins to glow with a different light.
In the quiet of our bar, surrounded by 1,000 bottles, I invite you to taste the fruits of this sacred labor. Let us share a glass of Ichiro’s Malt and reflect on the destiny that brought this spirit from the floors of Chichibu to your hand tonight.
↓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.)
ようこそ新時代。新生「イチローズモルト 秩父 ダブルディスティラリーズ」を徹底解剖！
イチローズモルト20周年アニバーサリーボトル｜レジェンド原酒と語り手たちの愛
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.
Find Out More
• Google Maps: [Get Directions & View Location]
• Bar Information & Concept: [Our Philosophy, Menu, and Service System]
• Spirits Column & Distillery Visits: [Exclusive Stories & Distillery Reports]
(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.)
