Whisky
The Highlander Inn ~ Tokyo, October 2009
After the successful visit to Osaka, Rachel and Duncan went up to Tokyo for a few days. (Unfortunately Mark had to go straight back to Scotland to prepare for a trip to the USA 2 days later!!)
The first evening - Wednesday 7th October ~ in Tokyo, after meeting up with Hideo Yamaoka for dinner in the Grail Bar, Nishi-azabu, we went round to his
apartment to sample a few of his incredible collection of whiskies (over 2000 at his last count).
He has 2 apartments in the same building, one for his whiskies, and one to live in. Guess where he spends most of his time? No wonder he is regarded as Japan's foremost whisky aficionado.
The next day Hideo Yamaoka and Seishi Tsuta (Acorn Ltd and our importer for Central and North Japan) joined us on a visit to
Chichibu Distillery to see Ichiro Akuto's new venture. Ichiro's family has been in the brewing / distiling business in Chichibu
since 1625. A great experience (which the strongest Typhoon of the year didn't spoil!) to go round the distillery with these world-known
whisky men.
The only still house I've ever been in where one has to remove one's shoes and wear special boots or slippers - fantastic
Ichiro explains the wash backs, made from Japanese Oak (Mizunara) as opposed to stainless steel often now used in new build distilleries.
Climbing up to the the wash still, with the spirit safe and spirit still behind.
Both stills (the larger wash still on the left) were made by Forsyths in Rothes to Ichiro's exact specifications. From the shape and size
of these stills, and the downward line arm angles, one can guess that the spirit will be "muscular" and full-bodied ~ borne
out by a later tasting of the new spirit.
Ichiro, Manami ~ Chichibu's lady mashman, originally from Hokkaido ~ and Duncan.
The warehouse, traditionally laid out as a dunnage warehouse, with butts, hogsheads, port pipes, quarter casks - in the Japanese
style, rather like a miniature port pipe, rather than the Scottish "mini hogshead".
Before returning to Tokyo, Manami drove us to a little restaurant in Chichibu where we all enjoyed "Japanese Caviar",
washed down with a Madeira finished Hanyu!
More hard work on Friday 9th October with a business visit to Seishi Tsuta's shop in Sakado, north west of Tokyo.
Early the same evening at the top of Tokyo Tower.
Looking across Tokyo Bay with Disneyland, Tokyo in the background.
Later that evening, Rachel signs the "roll of honour wall" at the
Highlander Inn ~ Tokyo
Behind the bar of the Highlander Inn ~ Tokyo with Sawako Yamamoto who visited Craigellachie earlier in the year, and plays the bagpipes!
Saturday 10th October. After a much needed morning off ~ moving hotels ~ Hideo hosted a "Tasting Party" for us at the Helmsdale Bar.
Some of the invited guests at the "Tasting Party" enjoying several different Highlander Inn Bottlings in Helmsdale.
Rachel with three ladies at Helmsdale who invited her to visit Disneyland Tokyo with them next year.
The "Highlander Inn Challenge" ~
Have a whisky in the Highlander Inn, Tokyo and the Highlander Inn,
Craigellachie on the same day.
Early on Sunday morning, 11th October, Rachel completed the first half of the "Highlander Inn Challenge" assisted by Ushio, Tatsuya Minagawa's great friend and a surprise customer that night.
She duly completed the challenge successfully later that day by having another Talisker in Craigellachie straight after arriving back in Scotland on Sunday evening, 11th October.
