Just In: Has Saburomaru Surpassed Islay? The “Showa Retro” Bottle for Chichibu Whisky Matsuri 2026

2026.10.05

In short: Saburomaru 2021–2025 Heavily Islay Peated, bottled for the Chichibu Whisky Matsuri 2026 — first-fill oloroso Spanish oak butt, 58%, spirit from the ZEMON pot still. Described as “Showa retro”: fishing nets, diesel and leather, then candy and bubblegum — a Japanese malt that stands up to mid-aged Islay. From Bar Little Happiness, Hiroshima.

The essence of Saburomaru, packed into the words “Showa retro” — a bottle that stirs memories

“Honestly, if it’s Saburomaru, I want them all.” Ever since my visit to the distillery in January, I have been completely captivated by it.

“Saburomaru 2021–2025 Heavily Islay Peated, Chichibu Whisky Matsuri 2026”

One phrase sat quietly in its description: “Showa retro.”

Somehow nostalgic, and warm at the same time.

That nuance is condensed into this one bottle.

Words in the tasting notes like “fishing nets,” “diesel oil” and “new cowhide leather goods.”

Powerful aromas that evoke people working hard and sweating.

Mixed with the seemingly contradictory, noble aroma of black tea,

this is the very air of that lively era that once filled all of Japan.

It uses a luxurious cask — a first-fill oloroso Spanish oak butt — yet it does not end up simply “dominated by the cask,” thanks to the overwhelming potential of the spirit made in Saburomaru’s innovative pot still, “ZEMON.”

After the power, the sweetness of “hard candy” and “bubblegum” gently appears, full of bittersweet, warm, layered “Showa retro” feeling — like the memory of clutching pocket money in grubby hands as a child.

[Complete] Official tasting notes

The appeal of this bottle, as written by the brilliant cask hunter Takeshi Kitakaji.

(His tasting notes are pure genius!!)

[Nose] Lapsang souchong tea, peat smoke, bonfire, iodine, diesel oil, smoked oysters, fishing nets, new cowhide leather goods, then hard candy, bubblegum, hazelnut ice cream.

[Palate] Stewed apple, barley sugar, fig, dried apricot, acacia honey, black tea, dried shellfish, olives stuffed with anchovy, resin; oily and full-bodied.

[Finish] Chocolate-coated orange peel, bergamot, sweet ash, dried tea leaves, heather flowers. Long.

A new era of Japanese whisky, at a counter in Hiroshima

As Mr Kitakaji comments, this bottle “holds its own against mid-aged Islay malts.”

If you love Islay malts, you should definitely try this!

Please come and experience its nostalgic yet new “Showa retro” world, hidden within its powerful 58%, at Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima.

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[A note from Tanimoto] I believe there is no single right way to enjoy whisky. Neat, as a highball, or even through something other than taste — the moment you feel “I love this!” or “This is precious!” is, I think, the best answer for that bottle.

About this bottle

Saburomaru 2021–2025 Heavily Islay Peated “Showa Retro” (Chichibu Whisky Matsuri 2026 exclusive; matured in a first-fill oloroso Spanish oak butt; 58%; spirit from the ZEMON pot still) can be enjoyed at Bar Little Happiness in two ways:

• Drink it at Bar Little Happiness (the owner, who knows the world of whisky and rum well, will introduce each glass in front of you)

• Take it home in a small sample bottle (sold by measure) from the bar

It is popular with guests who are short on time, who can’t drink much, or who want to take home a souvenir of their trip.

Every encounter is meant to be. Welcome to the world of Rum&Whisky.