Scarlet - Iseya Distillery

The Bitter that Tells a Story

There was a time when this place was a post station, a refuge and a passage point for travelers during the Edo period. Next to it stood Obarajuku, the inn where feudal lords stayed during their journeys. From that tradition comes the name Iseya: a bond with the memory of the past that today lives on in a sake brewery built with passion and with their own hands.

The soul of Scarlett is deeply rooted in this heritage. After years spent working in bars and restaurants across Japan, the founder traveled through Europe, visiting over seventy distilleries, from those in Scotland to Pontarlier, a town on the border between France and Switzerland. There he absorbed the wisdom of artisans, the rhythm of nature, the strength of local communities—experiences that sparked the flame of creation.

Scarlett was born from this journey: Sakurao vodka as a base, enriched with ten botanicals cultivated in-house, combined with carefully selected Japanese plants and ingredients sourced from around the world. Because a true bitter knows no boundaries: it is a dialogue of roots, fruits, and spices, embracing diversity as its wealth.

Its flavor is crafted as a story told in chapters: first the deep and earthy notes of roots, then the fruity brightness that enhances the balance, and finally the enveloping complexity imparted by barrels from renowned breweries. A bitter that stands out for its lower sugar content, which highlights the botanicals and gives the palate a three-dimensional sensation. Beautiful to behold, surprising to taste.

With Scarlett, Iseya Sake Brewery seeks to write a new chapter in Japan’s drinking culture: spreading the knowledge of bitters and herbal liqueurs, building bonds with the community, and offering experiences where people can take part in the creative process.

Over time, Scarlett will become more than just a drink—it will be a shared ritual, a symbol of worlds meeting, an inheritance to be passed on.