My journey through Saburomaru Distillery reaches its pinnacle in a place few have been allowed to enter: the Blender’s Room.
This is the “Sanctuary” where the future of Japanese whisky is being composed, drop by drop.
Standing in this quiet, sacred space—which is currently closed to the public—I witnessed the true artistry of the craft.
President Inagaki described the process of blending as solving an “Amber Puzzle.”
It is not merely mixing liquids; it is the deliberate “kumi-komi” (integration) of diverse characters, ages, and passions into a single, harmonious masterpiece.
As a “Japanese whisky expert” who has stood at a bar counter for nearly 20 years, I felt a deep shiver of excitement.
I saw not just bottles of samples, but a grand blueprint for the future of Japanese whisky.
The vision President Inagaki is painting from this room is vast, bold, and filled with an unyielding respect for the spirit.
I, who once could barely drink alcohol, now find myself standing in the heart of this innovation.
This is the ultimate “Hitsuzen” (Inevitability). I was meant to see this sanctuary so that I could bring the essence of this “Amber Puzzle” back to my guests at Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima.
When I pour a glass of Saburomaru for you, I am not just serving whisky.
I am sharing a piece of that grand vision and the quiet intensity of the blender’s room.
Let us raise a glass to the future—a future that is being meticulously crafted right now in the silence of the sanctuary.
↓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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• 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.)