In October 2009 the Highlander Inn was invited back to the "Hankyu British Fair"
in Osaka, Japan.
This is the 8th consecutive year that Duncan Elphick has managed the Whisky Bar at the
Hankyu Department Store in Umeda, Osaka; for the last 5 years as a director of the
Highlander Inn.
Mark Watt, now recognised throughout the malt whisky world as one of it's leading experts, accompanied Duncan
for the 7th year running.
Mark, a real "Whisky Otaku", took annual leave from his role at Duncan Taylor & Co., with Euan
Shand's blessing.
This was Mark's final year due to pressure of work - he was recently appointed a Director of Duncan Taylor & Co - so Hankyu
agreed to a 'handover year' and agreed to Rachel Richard also accompanying us to Osaka, for the very 1st time.
For every one of the past 8 years, Watanabe-san, Managing Director of WSJ, Osaka, and the importer of our Single Malt Whisky into
West Japan, has managed the Osaka side of the operation.
Also part of the team since the very beginning, Sahoko Kataoka is a wonderful lady who finds time in her busy
schedule to join us for the week as our interpreter.
Each year, a replica of the bar at the Highlander Inn is faithfully re-created in this
Department Store ~ over twice the size of Harrods in London ~ and sells Single Malt Whiskies
both by the the dram and bottle as well as representing tourism industry in Scotland.
Rachel, Mark and Toshi busy with customers, with Watanabe-san on the left in the suit.
Standing room only ~ who said the Japanese don't like Malt Whisky?
Rachel, Mark and Duncan enjoy a 'light snack' in Osaka.
Customers of Hankyu leaving after a good day.
Osaka at night, in the rain.
Duncan speaking at the official "Eve of opening champagne reception" attended by the British Ambassador to Japan. (2008)
Mark, Duncan & Lindsay Kawai enjoying a dram of Yamazaki Plum
liqueur finished malt whisky at Bar Basara in
Osaka ~ no, not the Jagermeister! (2008)
The busy bar, with Sahoko, taking a break in the background (2008)
Mark, Mr Soga of Bar Basara, Duncan and Toshiyuki Suzuki of
The Highlander Inn ~ Tokyo. (2008)
Mr Hayafune, owner of a great whisky bar in Osaka, also helped us out. (2008)
Michiko and Takeshi Sakao wait as Mark prepares to dispense (yet) another dram for them at the
bar!
(Michiko, I'm sorry the pictures from previous years haven't appeared on the website before now!)
A reunion of Mr Shiraki's customers in Osaka, all bar owners ~ having had a similar picture taken at the
Highlander Inn in Craigellachie the previous month.
