I Regressed and Became Too Good at Brewing - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 38. Two Guests, Two Pieces of News (4)
“Whisky? So you’re talking about a distilled spirit?”
“That’s right. A distilled spirit. In other words, whisky.”
Whisky.
A quintessential distilled spirit made by fermenting grains—barley, corn, rye, wheat, and the like—then distilling and aging the result in oak barrels.
Its deep amber hue and the complex flavors drawn from the oak have given it an etymology rooted in “Aqua Vitae”—the water of life—and it is, by any measure, a spirit of considerable allure.
Put simply: ferment grain, distill it, age it in oak, and you have whisky.
Which means that oak-aged Soju technically falls into the category of Grain Whisky as well.
“I do have a plan, actually.”
In running Songhadan, I’ve set myself a single goal.
To create a spirit worthy of bearing Songhadan’s name.
I’ve placed no limits on how I reach it.
The world holds so many varieties of spirits.
Makgeolli, Cheongju, Soju, Sake, Gaoliang Jiu, Wine, Beer, Whisky, Brandy—the list goes on.
If it’s possible, I’d like to make them all, each stamped unmistakably with Songhadan’s character.”
“Oh! Now that’s music to my ears!”
“But why the sudden interest in whisky……?”
“Because, if it were possible, I’d like to work with you.”
“I beg your pardon?”
At Brook’s words—spoken as though the matter were of no consequence, or perhaps utterly simple—my mind ground to a halt.
To say it again: Eddie Brook is a legendary Distiller whose name alone adds premium to any bottle that bears it.
And such a remarkable man was proposing a collaboration?
“May I ask what prompted this idea?”
“What else would drive a man who makes spirits to speak of such things? The desire to make spirits, of course. Hah hah.”
Brook gazed out beyond the open door of the Aging Cellar, his laughter rumbling freely as though the question had been obvious.
There was something profound in his eyes that I found myself unable to put into words.
When the brief silence had passed, he spoke again.
“Are you aware that I currently hold no position at any distillery?”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
The public had deemed it a retirement of sorts.
Though he still traveled the world offering instruction to aspiring Distillers eager to learn, he no longer oversaw any distillation process under his own name.
“I suppose I’ve grown tired, in truth.”
“Tired……?”
“Seventy years of life, working in distilleries since I was seventeen. It was bound to wear on a man eventually.”
Though it wasn’t merely a matter of hours spent laboring.
Had it been only that, he could never have sustained such grueling work for more than half a century.
But Brook offered no further elaboration.
He simply gazed, lost in thought, at the dusk settling over the sky of Yeongwol.
“The view here is truly beautiful.”
“It’s one of Songhadan’s treasures.”
“Hah hah! Well worthy of the name! Working in a place like this, one could behold such a sight every single day.”
In that brief exchange, we shared something substantial.
“Come visit me in Scotland one of these days.”
“Even though you hold no position at a distillery?”
Puhaha! All the young men working at the distilleries there learned their craft from me since they were boys. If I ask politely, they’ll show you everything.”
“That’s enviable indeed.”
Brook set down the glass he’d been holding, withdrew his wallet from his pocket, and extended a business card.
I too retrieved one of my own bearing Songhadan’s emblem and passed it to him.
Eddie Brook’s personal phone number—a card that anyone with a hand and pulse would covet.
“If you find yourself inclined, do get in touch. I’ll be waiting.”
“I hope that before long I might stand beside the Master.”
“Hah hah. I never thought my name would become such a burden in a moment like this. Haha!”
He broke into genuine, hearty laughter, then carefully slipped my card into his wallet.
He then picked up the glass he’d set down and extended it toward me again.
“Might I trouble you for one more of that final spirit—the Hongya? Consider it, if you will, my offering in return for a pleasant conversation I’d like to share.”
“You needn’t have made the bargain. I would have poured it anyway.”
“It’s simply how this old man prefers to ask.”
Splash.
Another measure of spirit filled the glass.
He gazed long at the Hongya as though admiring a work of art, inhaled its aroma slowly, then took a small sip and savored it on his tongue.
Only after finishing the entire glass in that leisurely manner did Brook open his mouth.
“You’ll hear some good news soon. You might want to have a tailored suit made, just in case.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s not public yet, so I can only say this much. Ha ha. And there’s something else I should mention…….”
Perhaps he’d noticed the camera rolling just off to the side.
He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a careful whisper.
“There’s been some unfortunate talk lately.”
“Unfortunate talk, you mean…….”
“Exactly as it sounds. I’m a foreigner and don’t know Korea well, but people everywhere resent and envy those who suddenly demonstrate remarkable ability. I’ve experienced it myself.”
After finishing this unsettling remarks, Brook stepped back.
His expression had reverted entirely to that serene smile, as though he’d said nothing at all.
“Well then, I should be going. And do come visit Scotland sometime—I meant that sincerely. Ha ha!”
After that whirlwind meeting with Eddie Brook.
It didn’t take long to discover what those two pieces of news were.
* * *
“It really was Mister Brook? A Master Distiller? Seriously?”
“Yeah. So what?”
“Aaaaahhh! You should have told me! Why didn’t you call me!”
Upon learning that the foreigner who’d visited the day before was Eddie Brook, Se Jun pulled at his own hair in exaggerated regret.
And rightly so.
Any devoted drinker would count it the opportunity of a lifetime to meet such a legendary figure in person—and he’d missed it.
“Wait… you at least got his autograph, right?”
“Oh. Right.”
“Are you serious! No autograph, no nothing! What were you even doing!”
“We got it all on video. Ye Eun filmed everything.”
He let out an anguished groan of pure frustration.
Se Jun seemed determined to tear out every last hair on his head, drowning in regret.
His disappointment didn’t end there.
“Oh, and the Japanese gentleman who came with him was the critic Murata Naguchi.”
“What——?”
“He left in a hurry, so we couldn’t get his autograph either.”
I hadn’t actually cared about autographs at all, but I couldn’t resist dangling this tidbit for his reaction.
“You… aren’t you even sorry? We’re talking about someone you’d never meet in a lifetime, and you didn’t even keep proof!”
“What do you mean no proof? It’s all on video.”
Besides, Ye Eun had already finished editing the footage some time ago.
From the start, we’d prepared it so it could be uploaded whenever the timing was optimal for Hongya’s launch.
The video contained so much material.
Murata Naguchi and Eddie Brook marveling at the sight of Songhadan.
And their delighted expressions as they drank.
Of course, we’d edited out Naguchi’s rough language.
‘I did keep that footage just in case…….’
‘Thank you.’
We’d saved everything as material, naturally.
No matter how crude the man might be, there was no telling how things might turn out.
“The reaction should be pretty solid when we upload it.”
“JuJu Daily said they’d coordinate and run advertisements for Hongya right away!”
“Perfect timing.”
“We’re all set to post on the homepage and SNS too!”
“Good work, Ye Hyun.”
Thanks to everyone handling their respective responsibilities, the preparations for Songhadan’s new product, Hongya, had come together smoothly.
Now distribution was no longer an issue.
Which was precisely why I was hiding in the Aging Cellar, avoiding the office phone.
<Claiming to be busy and always coming down here anyway—what’s that all about? Tch.>
<Can’t a person take a breather once in a while during work?>
“Su Bin also reached out. Asking if we could collaborate on a video about Hongya, like we did before.”
“Ah. So that’s why she was contacting you.”
The YouTube video shoot we’d done together before, when promoting Dal Bord.
She’d exchanged numbers with us, asking us to reach out whenever a new product launched.
[Su Bin: You promised to let me know the moment something new came out!]
[Su Bin: (emoji of a puppy crying streams of tears)]
[Su Bin: Why haven’t you been in touch!]
[Su Bin: Can’t we do one more video shoot this time?]
[Su Bin: (emoji of a puppy with bright, hopeful eyes)]
It wasn’t that I’d made the promise without meaning it.
I’d simply been too busy.
With the Master Distiller and a renowned critic’s visit looming, everything else had slipped from my mind.
“Sir, do you keep in regular contact with Su Bin?”
“No, I usually just reply when she messages.”
“Ah… how enviable…….”
“Why would such a busy person keep reaching out… shall we grab something to eat?”
“Oh, has it gotten that late already?”
A small company tucked in the mountains offered no special perks.
So the least I could do was provide decent meals.
“You don’t mind braised beef short ribs, do you? Se Jun praised it so highly I decided to order it.”
“Yes! I eat anything!”
It didn’t seem to be a lie—I followed Ha Jeong, who hummed contentedly about the beef as she headed out, back into the office.
Se Jun, who’d already arranged the delivered food and was ready to eat, called out.
“Yeon Woo! Ha Jeong! Hurry up! It’s getting cold!”
“Yeah! Coming! On my way!”
“Looks delicious! Let’s dig in!”
The braised beef from the small restaurant—one of the few places that delivered all the way out to Songhadan in the Yeongwol mountains—was exquisite.
I reached for another spoonful of rice, thinking Se Jun’s recommendation had been well-founded, when—
“Ah. Yeon Woo. Sorry to bring this up while you’re eating, but I just remembered something I should mention.”
“No, it’s fine. What is it?”
Se Jun continued matter-of-factly.
“You know Choi Yun Seong, the reporter who wrote that great piece about us before? Well, he got in touch.”
“Another interview? That’s good for us, then.”
“Actually, I’m not sure about that…….”
He worked the beef around in his mouth for a moment, swallowed, and then spoke.
“He said he had something he wanted to talk to you about separately.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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