A Toast to Waste

Overview

Yamaguchi Ayumu runs a small Tokyo distillery. He uses sake lees left over after brewing sake from rice. These often go to waste, but they impart a fruity aroma ideal for distilling into gin. Yamaguchi also uses other waste like coffee grounds and cacao husks—seemingly useless materials—that still have aroma to give. Producing fine liquors, Yamazaki gives value to what would otherwise be waste. As he puts it, "there's nothing in this world that's entirely worthless."