At Saburomaru Distillery, the walls are more than just architecture; they are a “Vessel of History.”
These buildings, which survived the fires of war and are now designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, represent the unyielding flame of the pioneers.
During my visit, I met President Takahiko Inagaki, a man I can only describe as a hardcore “Whisky Geek.” His excitement for the romance of the amber liquid is palpable in every word he speaks.
Beyond the “Privileged” Stereotype President Inagaki comes from a family with a solid business foundation, including Hokuriku Coca-Cola .
He could have chosen a comfortable path in corporate management. Instead, he chose to dive into a distillery that was “falling apart,” with production at less than 10% of its peak .
He felt that if the “fire of craftsmanship” lit by his ancestors vanished, the family’s identity would be lost forever.
The Grit Behind the “Hitsuzen”: Door-to-Door Trust The most moving story was about the crowdfunding that saved this distillery.
When I asked if he personally visited the donors in Toyama, he told me: “I went house to house. Many elderly people didn’t know how to use a computer, so I’d guide them, saying, ‘You press here,’ while we operated the screen together.”
He didn’t just collect funds; he carefully collected “drops of trust.”
This relentless effort is why I call the rebirth of Saburomaru a true “Hitsuzen” (Inevitability).
It was not a coincidence that the community supported him; it was the destined result of his sincere passion.
The “Nothing to Lose” Mindset When I asked if he was afraid of carrying the weight of a shrinking family business, he smiled and said: “It was already on the verge of disappearing, so I felt I had nothing to lose (Naku-te-mote-mote).”
As a “Japanese Whisky Expert” who once could barely drink alcohol, I deeply resonance with this mindset.
Life is not about luck; it is about the “Hitsuzen” connections we forge through our obsession.
At Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima, I pour every glass of Saburomaru with a deep respect for this fateful story of rebirth.
↓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.)
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Explore our vast range of Japanese labels, featuring an unrivaled selection of local Hiroshima craft whiskies, alongside an extensive array of fine Scotches.
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