Sakurao Single Cask｜Bar Little Happiness 20th Anniversary Bottling
2026.8.09
For our 20th anniversary, Bar Little Happiness is releasing a commemorative bottling from Sakurao Distillery: Sakurao Single Cask, 100% Japanese Malt, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel — “Traveling Lito.”
“When we reach twenty years, please let us do an original Bar Little Happiness bottling.”
For years and years, whenever the chance arose, I said this to the people at Sakurao Distillery.
It is well known in this industry that Sakurao does not do bottlings for bars.
So it might never happen.
There were times, honestly, when I told myself that.
And still, as someone who has built her life around whisky here in Hiroshima, I could not let it go.
Every time I asked, my heart raced. Was I putting them in a difficult position?
But I wanted it so badly that I kept asking, year after year.
And year after year, the answer was no.
That the people of Sakurao Distillery finally took my persistence seriously, and found the courage to say yes — for that, the only word I have is gratitude.
Of Course Sakurao Is My Favourite
I was born in Hiroshima, raised in Hiroshima, and have lived my whole life here.
And here is where I will stay.
So for me, Sakurao is something apart.
Of course they are my favourite.
I have watched them from close by, ever since their whisky making began.
(Probably the day I first visited Sakurao Distillery)
(I’ve brought guests, staff, fellow business owners — all kinds of people here.)
(Going back through the photos, I found how many different groups I’d brought, and remembered that they even prepared a panel like this for us. Thank you.)
There may have been stretches when they were exposed to criticism.
Even so, they evolved at an extraordinary pace and grew larger and larger, and I watched it happen from close by.
I had my own twenty years, with everything they contained.
Struggling against the image other people had of me. Wondering where I really stood.
Honestly, the frustrating moments outnumbered the happy ones.
But with this bottling, it feels as though all of it has been repaid. I feel clear.
Who Is Lito?
On the label is a small spirit named Lito.
Lito was born as the guardian of Bar Little Happiness — a being into whom twenty years of feeling have flowed.
Her story is told in a separate column.
Now It Sets Out Across Japan
From here, these bottles will travel to bars across Japan — bars that live with whisky, and bars connected to us — delivered little by little as we reach out to them.
Only 171 bottles exist.
Slowly, our Sakurao will begin appearing on bar counters all over the country.
If you ever meet our Sakurao at a bar near you,
I hope you will take your time with it, and talk a little about Hiroshima.
And one day, please come and visit Sakurao Distillery here in Hiroshima — and stop by Bar Little Happiness on your way home. 🥃
Whisky and rum taste better when you know the hearts behind them.
Every encounter is meant to be. Welcome to the world of Rum & Whisky.
About This Bottle
Sakurao Single Cask, 100% Japanese Malt, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel
Bar Little Happiness 20th Anniversary Bottling
“Traveling Lito”
Cask strength 62% / Limited to 171 bottles
Not sold to the general public.
We are contacting bars across Japan so that it can be enjoyed at their counters.
📍 Bar Little Happiness
5-14-1F Nagarekawa-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
Mon–Sat: 19:00–24:30 / Sun: until 24:00
(Last entry approx. 1 hour before closing)
Open almost every day of the year
Reservations and enquiries via our official LINE 🥃
🔗 Online shop: https://shop.little-happiness.jp
