On Saturday, July 4, 2026, Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima will host a special tasting event with Ian Chang — former Master Distiller & Blender at Kavalan Distillery (Taiwan), and current Master Blender at KOMORO Distillery (KDI), Nagano, Japan.
About Ian Chang
Ian Chang is one of the most respected blenders working in Asian whisky today. Over 16 years at Kavalan, he helped transform the distillery from a zero-base startup into a globally celebrated whisky brand — winning prestigious international awards and changing the world’s understanding of what Asian whisky can achieve. He now brings the same founding-from-zero ambition to KOMORO Distillery in Nagano, Japan, where he is co-founder and Master Blender.
Why This Event Is Rare
Bar-format tasting events with Ian Chang are extremely rare in Japan. This event came about because Ian Chang himself — after discovering Mika Tanimoto’s writing about KOMORO Distillery — reached out and proposed the event. He then travelled to Hiroshima personally to meet Mika in advance and discuss the evening’s content.
Guests will have the opportunity to taste KOMORO new make spirit poured and explained directly by the man who made it, in an intimate counter setting — the kind of access that simply does not exist at large public events.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026 (evening)
- Venue: Bar Little Happiness, Nagarekawacho 5-14 1F, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
- Format: Intimate tasting event with Ian Chang
- Capacity: Very limited (application-based)
- Language: Japanese (with translation support)
Mika’s Perspective
I have been writing about Ian Chang and KOMORO Distillery since I visited the distillery in March 2026. What moved me most was not the whisky alone — it was Ian Chang’s philosophy: that making whisky is like planting a tree for people you will never meet. That the work of a great blender is to pass something forward, not to hold it.
When he found my writing and reached out himself, I was — honestly — stunned. And then immediately, I thought: of course. That is how things like this happen. An encounter is inevitable. Rum & Whisky brings the right people together.
For guests who could not get seats for this event: I will write everything here afterwards. Every word, every flavour, every moment. The counter at Bar Little Happiness holds these stories, and this one will not be lost.
Read the original Japanese announcement: https://little-happiness.jp/columns/ian-chang-komoro-tasting-2026-07-04/
Bar Little Happiness | Hiroshima, Japan
Rum & Whisky specialists | 1,000+ bottles | English menu available
Open Mon–Sat 7PM–12:30AM, Sun 7PM–midnight
No cover charge. Walk-ins welcome.
english.little-happiness.jp