A Dream Collaboration: “Galaxy Express 999” × Togouchi 2020, the Miracle Chosen by Hideo Yamaoka

2026.10.05

In short: A WHISKY MEW single cask of Togouchi 2020 from Hiroshima’s Sakurao Distillery, with a “Galaxy Express 999” label, hand-picked by whisky critic Hideo Yamaoka. I explain the tunnel-matured Togouchi, why Yamaoka’s selection matters, and the WHISKY MEW bottles we stock.

A True Miracle: Maetel Invites You on a Journey of Tunnel Maturation

For anyone who loves whisky, a new “WHISKY MEW” release always brings excitement and romance.

And this time, there is no bottle more exciting for Little Happiness than this one.

The timeless classic “Galaxy Express 999”: the train setting off for the distant galaxy, and Maetel.

The amber spirit inside is a “Togouchi” single cask from SAKURAO DISTILLERY, the pride of our hometown, Hiroshima.

This miraculous collaboration was produced by a giant of the industry, Hideo Yamaoka.

This time, I dig into the philosophy and story of why our local Sakurao was chosen by the master.

Local Pride: Togouchi’s Character, Nurtured in a Disused Railway Tunnel

SAKURAO DISTILLERY is a seaside distillery facing the World Heritage Itsukushima Shrine across the water, exposed to the sea breeze of the Seto Inland Sea.

“Togouchi Whisky,” in contrast, is born in a warehouse in the mountains.

That warehouse is a disused railway tunnel deep in the Chugoku Mountains, surrounded by lush greenery and clear streams.

In this special environment, where cool air flows through all year round and humidity stays high, Togouchi’s spirit slowly develops its aromas and flavours.

Made at a distillery by the sea, sleeping in a tunnel deep in the mountains.

This duality is the secret behind the delicate, complex fruitiness of Togouchi whisky.

This bottle, filled with our local climate and a history of challenge, is truly the pride of Hiroshima itself.

What It Means to Be Chosen by Industry Giant Hideo Yamaoka

Mr. Yamaoka, a former editor at Shogakukan skilled at “sending stories out into the world,” brought his expertise and his passion as a whisky lover to life in the form of WHISKY MEW.

Rather than simply introducing rare whiskies, he proposes an approach that invites people through the door to their appeal.

His outstanding tasting ability is proven by the fact that he has won nosing contests (tasting competitions) in Scotland eight times.

The discerning eye of Mr. Yamaoka, whisky critic, taster and producer of WHISKY MEW, is the absolute standard that guarantees the quality of the bottle.

In fact, I met Mr. Yamaoka at a whisky festival some time ago and had the honour of having a photo taken with him.

And the other day, he actually came to visit us here at Little Happiness!!

I was too awestruck to ask for another photo, but I was thrilled that he knew who I was, together with the bar 💛

The philosophy of WHISKY MEW is “the fusion of stories and whisky.”

Pairing the label of a timeless classic with the flavour that suits it best.

Gazing at the bottle, imagining the story… 🥃

What a precious time that is!!

For this release, Mr. Yamaoka visited SAKURAO DISTILLERY and hand-picked this “Togouchi 2020” single cask from among the countless casks in the Togouchi warehouse.

The stillness of the disused tunnel, the journey of “Galaxy Express 999,” and the liquid in the glass: this is a work that connects them all in a single line.

“Galaxy Express 999” Label / Togouchi 2020 Tasting

Mr. Yamaoka himself described this single cask as having “a maturity you wouldn’t believe from a five-year-old.”

Like the train heading for the distant galaxy, this whisky has complex sweetness and a powerful finish.

Please come and experience the miracle brought by the cool humidity of the tunnel warehouse.

When Bar Little Happiness Met WHISKY MEW

At Little Happiness, we deeply love the bottles of our local pride, Sakurao Distillery, and stock them as a priority, but WHISKY MEW bottles, filled with Mr. Yamaoka’s philosophy, are also indispensable to the bar.

Besides this “Galaxy Express 999” Togouchi 2020, we also have several other special WHISKY MEW bottles selected by Mr. Yamaoka in stock.

Tonight, why not set off on a whisky journey with Maetel at Little Happiness?

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

Mika Tanimoto, Bar Little Happiness