The Inventor’s Magic: How a “Fried Rice Machine” Saved the Spirit of Saburomaru

During my visit to Saburomaru Distillery, I encountered something that felt like true magic.

It wasn’t just about the whisky; it was about the extraordinary vision of President Takahiko Inagaki—not only as a distiller but as a brilliant “inventor.”

Inside the workshop, I saw a machine that changed everything: the “Barrel Roll 2.”

Before this machine existed, scraping the inside of a barrel was a brutal, back-breaking task.

Craftsmen worked in a cloud of dust, exhausting their physical strength just to finish two barrels a day. It was a limit imposed by human endurance.

To support his team, President Inagaki designed and built the “Barrel Roll 2” himself. The inspiration?

Surprisingly, it came from the movements of a washing machine and the automatic fried rice stirrers found in Chinese restaurants.

This stroke of genius increased efficiency from 2 barrels to 16 barrels a day, dramatically transforming the environment for the craftsmen.

As a “Japanese whisky expert” who has seen many distilleries, I was deeply moved by this. It’s not just about automation; it’s about a leader’s devotion to protecting his people and his craft.

This high level of aspiration is exactly what I feel when I pour a glass of Saburomaru at Bar Little Happiness.

As someone who once could barely drink alcohol, I am sensitive to the energy behind the liquid.

Knowing that this spirit was born from such inventive passion makes every drop feel like a miracle.

This is the “Hitsuzen” (Inevitability) of my journey—to find these hidden stories of obsession and bring them back to you in Hiroshima.

When you taste this whisky at my counter, you are tasting the revolutionary spirit of an inventor who refused to let his craftsmen suffer.

↓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.)↓

三郎丸蒸留所見学体験記③Re:COOPERAGE・若き匠と、富山の地が育む「ガマ」の奇跡

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.

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.)