50歳から始めるカフェ修行
Life may change✨ The friendly female manager warmly welcomes you, creating a cozy and comforting atmosphere. Even beginners in rum can feel at ease visiting, whether they are solo female customers or young couples. You might just find yourself getting into rum here. This bar specializes in rum, with a refreshing simplicity of not offering other drinks like sake, wine, or gin. They hope you enjoy the world of rum rather than just cocktails. Just like how Islay whisky differs from bourbon, or how Awamori from Kumejima differs from that of Ishigaki Island, experiencing the variety of rums here is the ultimate pleasure. Today, I embarked on a solo drinking journey, learning a lot about rum from the person next to me at the counter. The manager, Ayako Takahashi, is a certified rum concierge by the Japan Rum Association and also serves as a judge at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition, the only whisky and spirits competition in Japan. The owner and bartender, Shinobu Ebisawa, is the chairman of the Rum Association and a world-renowned collector with a home filled with an endless array of rums. The bar, opened in 1997, offers over 600 types of rum, including rare old bottles sourced directly from the Caribbean islands, making it the best selection in Japan. They will introduce you to the wonderful world of rum. First, you climb the stairs with excitement. The bar and table seats are quite crowded. Ayako kindly asks if it's your first visit and inquires about your usual drink preferences. She then recommends a rum with a woody aroma, perfect for whisky drinkers like me. It was truly delicious. First drink: El Dorado 15 years, Diana, oak barrel aroma, very tasty with no strong aftertaste. Half water added for a perfect balance. Second drink: New Grove 10 years, Mauritius, French oak and cognac barrels, fragrant and delicious. Cuban sandwich for 660 yen, a cheese toast sandwich that pairs well with rum. Third drink: A selection of 3 different rums to choose from - honey-like, coffee-like, and sugar-like flavors. With advice from the regular rum-loving customers on both sides, I chose the coffee-like taste. Third drink: Dictador 20 years, Colombia, coffee taste, a perfect choice. Enjoyed it on the rocks♪ What a wonderful and delicious world of rum. I had a great time with the help of the regular customer next to me. On the other side, a customer ordered a cream rum called Cream, similar to Kahlua milk. They had been searching for it for 8 years and finally found it here, shedding tears of joy. Everyone has a special drink and music that resonates with them. According to Ayako, it's best to start by finding a country you like. Next time, I want to try rum from Panama. Once you get into Panama rum, it's hard to get out of the rabbit hole, it seems. What an amazing world. Ah, it was so much fun❣️ Bill: 5170 yen, cash only. Smoking allowed. Grateful for the encounters✨✨ If you love getting into things, be sure to visit✨