A Winter Gift: Sakurao Single Malt × Shimahei Smoked Chicken
2026.10.05
In short: a winter gift from Sakurao Distillery in Hiroshima — Hiroshima Herb Chicken marinated in Single Malt Sakurao, smoked by local smokehouse Shimahei and sprayed with whisky before packing. A nostalgic collaboration for Bar Little Happiness, which once studied whisky pairings with Shimahei.
Once again this year, a winter gift arrived from Sakurao Distillery.
The moment I opened the box,
“Ah, it came again this year 💛” —
Santa came to Little Happiness too ❣️
This year’s collaboration partner is Shimahei.
A smokehouse in Hiroshima,
and actually a nostalgic name: Little Happiness used to carry their products long ago.
That made me even happier.
Hiroshima Herb Chicken, smoked and sprayed with Sakurao single malt
Hiroshima Herb Chicken is marinated in Single Malt Sakurao and a soy-based sauce, then smoked.
A special item, generously sprayed with Single Malt Sakurao at the very end and vacuum-packed immediately after.
“Spraying whisky on smoked food…?”
One bite, and I understood.
The aroma of whisky
and the toastiness of the smoke were in perfect harmony ☺️
This is a completely grown-up taste.
Nostalgia, and something new
In Hiroshima, Shimahei is the name that comes to mind when you think of smoked food.
When we carried their products, I visited Shimahei with my staff at the time,
and we held study sessions on pairing their smoked foods with whisky and rum to serve to our guests!
These are from when my staff at the time and I were researching pairings of Shimahei’s smoked foods with whisky. I remember carrying loads of whisky over to Shimahei!
And now Shimahei has teamed up with Sakurao’s smoke
to create such a luxurious smoked treat.
It feels as if nostalgia and something new arrived together.
*By the way, this product seems to be sold in limited quantities at Shimahei!
This gift that arrived in winter.
Every year, the people at Sakurao Distillery
send it with such heartfelt care.
That makes me so happy.
Every encounter is meant to be. Welcome to the world of Rum&Whisky.
Mika Tanimoto, Bar Little Happiness
[About the author]
Mika Tanimoto
CEO, Little.m Inc. / Owner-bartender
Since 2006, I have run Bar Little Happiness, a whisky and rum bar in Nagarekawa, Hiroshima. I visit distilleries in Japan and around the world and write about the people who make the spirits. Recipient of the Hiroshima City Excellent Skilled Worker Award.
“Whisky and rum taste even better when you know the hearts of the people who make them.”
[Visit the bar] 📍 Bar Little Happiness
Rolling Nagarekawa 1F, 5-14 Nagarekawa-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
Mon–Sat 7:00 pm – 12:30 am / Sun 7:00 pm – 12:00 am (closed when I travel to visit distilleries)
No cover charge, no reservation needed
