Beyond the Smoke: The Day I Touched the Unbreakable Spirit of Saburomaru

There are moments in my life as a bartender when the liquid in a glass begins to feel heavy with the weight of human history.

My visit to Saburomaru Distillery in Toyama was exactly that—a profound encounter that left me breathless.

Standing in front of “ZEMON,” the world’s first cast-iron pot still, I didn’t just see a piece of machinery.

I saw the culmination of a revolutionary dream. I felt the heat of the furnace and the unyielding pride of the Wakatsuru Shuzo team, who chose to innovate when others might have given up.

This wasn’t a simple distillery tour; it was a lesson in resilience.

As I walked through the historic buildings, the scent of heavy peat wasn’t just “smoky”—it felt like the very breath of the Hokuriku region, rugged and beautiful.

I remember the look in the distillers’ eyes; it was the same passion I try to bring to my counter every night in Hiroshima.

They aren’t just making whisky; they are carving their soul into every drop.

In my philosophy of “Hitsuzen” (Inevitability), I believe I was meant to stand there that day.

I needed to feel that fire so that I could bring it back to you.

When I pour Saburomaru for you at Bar Little Happiness, I am not just serving a drink.

I am handing you a piece of that Toyama fire, a story of a craft that refused to die.

Please, take a moment to look past the smoke.

Taste the courage, the innovation, and the quiet luxury of a spirit born from pure conviction.

↓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①｜ウイスキー界のエジソン、稲垣貴彦氏の志に魅了された日

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.)

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